New Dual Donor–Acceptor (2D‐π‐2A) Porphyrin Sensitizers for Stable and Cost‐Effective Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A series of porphyrin sensitizers that featured two electron‐donating groups and dual anchoring groups that were connected through a porphine π‐bridging unit have been synthesized and successfully applied in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The presence of electron‐donating groups had a significant influence on their spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties. Overall, the dual anchoring groups gave tunable electronic properties and stronger attachment to TiO₂. These new dyes were readily synthesized in a minimum number of steps in gram‐scale quantities. Optical and electrochemical data confirmed the advantages of these dyes for use as sensitizers in DSSCs. Porphyrins with electron‐donating amino moieties provided improved charge separation and better charge‐injection efficiencies for the studied dual‐push–pull dyes. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the porphyrin dyes on TiO₂ suggest that both p‐carboxyphenyl groups are attached onto TiO₂, thereby resulting in strong attachment. Among these dyes, cis-Zn2BC2A , with two electron‐donating 3,6‐ditertbutyl‐phenyl‐carbazole groups and dual‐anchoring p‐carboxyphenyl groups, showed the highest efficiency of 4.07 %, with J_SC=9.81 mA cm^?2, V_OC=0.63 V, and FF=66 %. Our results also indicated a better photostability of the studied dual‐anchored sensitizers compared to their mono‐anchored analogues under identical conditions. These results provide insight into the developments of a new generation of high‐efficiency and thermally stable porphyrin sensitizers.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on donor-π-acceptor fluorescent dyes with a pyridine ring as an electron-withdrawing-injecting anchoring group

A new‐type of donor–acceptor π‐conjugated (D‐π‐A) fluorescent dyes NI3 – NI8 with a pyridine ring as electron‐withdrawing‐injecting anchoring group have been developed and their photovoltaic performances in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are investigated. The short‐circuit photocurrent densities and solar energy‐to‐electricity conversion yields of DSSCs based on NI3 – NI8 are greater than those for the conventional D‐π‐A dye sensitizers NI1 and NI2 with a carboxyl group as the electron‐withdrawing anchoring group. The IR spectra of NI3 – NI8 adsorbed on TiO₂ indicate the formation of coordinate bonds between the pyridine ring of dyes NI3 – NI8 and the Lewis acid sites (exposed Tiⁿ⁺ cations) of the TiO₂ surface. This work demonstrates that the pyridine rings of D‐π‐A dye sensitizers that form a coordinate bond with the Lewis acid site of a TiO₂ surface are promising candidates as not only electron‐withdrawing anchoring group but also electron‐injecting group, rather than the carboxyl groups of the conventional D‐π‐A dye sensitizers that form an ester linkage with the Brønsted acid sites of the TiO₂ surface.     

Triplication of the Photocurrent in Dye Solar Cells by Increasing the Elongation of the π‐conjugation in Zn‐Porphyrin Sensitizers

Porphyrins are promising sensitizers for dye solar cells (DSCs) but narrow absorption bands at 400–450 and 500–650 nm limit their light‐harvesting properties. Increasing elongation of the π‐conjugation and loss of symmetry causes broadening and a red‐shift of the absorption bands, which considerably improves the performance of the DSC. Herein we use an oligothienylenevinylene to bridge a Zn‐porphyrin system and the anchoring group of the sensitizer. We separately study the performance of the two basic units: oligothienylenevinylene and Zn‐porphyrin. The combined system provides a three‐fold enhancement of the photocurrent with respect to parent dyes. This is caused by an additional strong absorption in the region 400–650 nm that leads to flat IPCE of 60 %. Theoretical calculations support that the addition of the oligothienylenevinylene unit as a linking bridge creates a charge transfer band that transforms a Zn‐porphyrin dye into a push–pull type system with highly efficient charge injection properties.     

Molecular Design of D‐π‐A Type II Organic Sensitizers for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Four new type II organic dyes with D‐π‐A structure (donor‐π‐conjugated‐acceptor) and two typical type II sensitizers based on catechol as reference dyes are synthesized and applied in dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The four dyes can be adsorbed on TiO₂ through hydroxyl group directly. Electron injection can occur not only through the anchoring group (hydroxyl group) but also through the electron‐withdrawing group (? CN) located close to the semiconductor surface. Experimental results show that the type II sensitizers with a D‐π‐A system obviously outperform the typical type II sensitizers providing much higher conversion efficiency due to the strong electronic push‐pull effect. Among these dyes, LS223 gives the best solar energy conversion efficiency of 3.6%, with J_sc=7.3 mA·cm^?2, V_oc=0.69 V, FF=0.71, the maximum IPCE value reaches 74.9%.     

Triphenylamine Groups Improve Blocking Behavior of Phenoxazine Dyes in Cobalt‐Electrolyte‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Novel phenoxazine dyes are successfully introduced as sensitizers into dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with cobalt‐based electrolyte. In sensitizers with triphenylamine (TPA) groups recombination from electrons in the TiO₂ conduction band to the cobalt(III) species is suppressed. The effect of the steric properties of the phenoxazine sensitizers on the overall device performance and on recombination and regeneration processes is compared. Optimized DSCs sensitized with IB2 having two TPA groups in combination with tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl) cobalt(II/III) yield efficiencies of 6.3 %, similar to that of IB3 , which is equipped with mutiple alkoxy groups. TH310 with only one TPA group gives lower efficiency and open circuit voltage, while IB1 without TPA groups performs even worse. These results demonstrate that both TPA groups on the IB2 are needed for an efficient blocking effect. These results reveal a possible new role for TPA units in DSC sensitizer design.     

Molecular Engineering of Push–Pull Porphyrin Dyes for Highly Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: The Role of Benzene Spacers

Porphyrins have drawn much attention as sensitizers owing to the large absorption coefficients of their Soret and Q bands in the visible region. In a donor and acceptor zinc porphyrin we applied a new strategy of introducing 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (BTD) as a π‐conjugated linker between the anchoring group and the porphyrin chromophore to broaden the absorption spectra to fill the valley between the Soret and Q bands. With this novel approach, we observed 12.75 % power‐conversion efficiency under simulated one‐sun illumination (AM1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2). In this study, we showed the importance of introducing the phenyl group as a spacer between the BTD and the zinc porphyrin in achieving high power‐conversion efficiencies. Time‐resolved fluorescence, transient‐photocurrent‐decay, and transient‐photovoltage‐decay measurements were employed to determine the electron‐injection dynamics and the lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers.     

Novel Zinc Porphyrin Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Synthesis and Spectral,Electrochemical, and Photovoltaic Properties

Novel meso‐ or β‐derivatized porphyrins with a carboxyl group have been designed and synthesized for use as sensitizers in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The position and nature of a bridge connecting the porphyrin ring and carboxylic acid group show significant influences on the spectral, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of these sensitizers. Absorption spectra of porphyrins with a phenylethynyl bridge show that both Soret and Q bands are red‐shifted with respect to those of porphyrin 6 . This phenomenon is more pronounced for porphyrins 3 and 4 , which have a π‐conjugated electron‐donating group at the meso position opposite the anchoring group. Upon introduction of an ethynylene group at the meso position, the potential at the first oxidation alters only slightly whereas that for the first reduction is significantly shifted to the positive, thus indicating a decreased HOMO–LUMO gap. Quantum‐chemical (DFT) results support the spectroelectrochemical data for a delocalization of charge between the porphyrin ring and the amino group in the first oxidative state of diarylamino‐substituted porphyrin 5 , which exhibits the best photovoltaic performance among all the porphyrins under investigation. From a comparison of the cell performance based on the same TiO₂ films, the devices made of porphyrin 5 coadsorbed with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on TiO₂ in ratios [ 5 ]/[CDCA]=1:1 and 1:2 have efficiencies of power conversion similar to that of an N3 ‐based DSSC, which makes this green dye a promising candidate for colorful DSSC applications.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Organic Dyes with Various Electron‐Accepting Substituents for p‐Type Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Four new donor‐π‐acceptor dyes differing in their acceptor group have been synthesized and employed as model systems to study the influence of the acceptor groups on the photophysical properties and in NiO‐based p‐type dye‐sensitized solar cells. UV/Vis absorption spectra showed a broad range of absorption coverage with maxima between 331 and 653 nm. Redox potentials as well as HOMO and LUMO energies of the dyes were determined from cyclic voltammetry measurements and evaluated concerning their potential use as sensitizers in p‐type dye‐sensitized solar cells (p‐DSCs). Quantum‐chemical density functional theory calculations gave further insight into the frontier orbital distributions, which are relevant for the electronic processes in p‐DSCs. In p‐DSCs using an iodide/triiodide‐based electrolyte, the polycyclic 9,10‐dicyano‐acenaphtho[1,2‐b]quinoxaline (DCANQ) acceptor‐containing dye gave the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.08 %, which is comparable to that obtained with the perylenemonoimide (PMI)‐containing dye. Interestingly, devices containing the DCANQ‐based dye achieve a higher V_OC of 163 mV compared to 158 mV for the PMI‐containing dye. The result was further confirmed by impedance spectroscopic analysis showing higher recombination resistance and thus a lower recombination rate for devices containing the DCANQ dye than for PMI dye‐based devices. However, the use of the strong electron‐accepting tricyanofurane (TCF) group played a negative role in the device performance, yielding an efficiency of only 0.01 % due to a low‐lying LUMO energy level, thus resulting in an insufficient driving force for efficient dye regeneration. The results demonstrate that a careful molecular design with a proper choice of the acceptor unit is essential for development of sensitizers for p‐DSCs.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Donor–π‐Acceptor‐Based Porphyrin Sensitizers: Potential Application of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

New porphyrin sensitizers based on donor–π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) approach have been designed, synthesized, characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and their photovoltaic properties explored. N,N′‐Diphenylamine acts as donor, the porphyrin is the π‐spacer, and either carboxylic acid or cyanoacryclic acid acts as acceptor. All compounds were characterized by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, UV–visible emission spectroscopies as well as electrochemical methods. The presence of aromatic groups between porphyrin π‐plane and acceptor group push the absorption of both Soret and Q‐bands of porphyrin towards the red region. The electrochemical properties suggests that LUMO of these sensitizers above the TiO₂ conduction band. Finally, the device was fabricated using liquid redox electrolyte (I^?/I₃^?) and its efficiency was compared with that of a leading sensitizer.     

Donor‐π‐Acceptors Containing the 10‐(1,3‐Dithiol‐2‐ylidene)anthracene Unit for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Two donor–acceptor molecular tweezers incorporating the 10‐(1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ylidene)anthracene unit as donor group and two cyanoacrylic units as accepting/anchoring groups are reported as metal‐free sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells. By changing the phenyl spacer with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) units, the absorption spectrum of the sensitizer is red‐shifted with a corresponding increase in the molar absorptivity. Density functional calculations confirmed the intramolecular charge‐transfer nature of the lowest‐energy absorption bands. The new dyes are highly distorted from planarity and are bound to the TiO₂ surface through the two anchoring groups in a unidentate binding form. A power‐conversion efficiency of 3.7 % was obtained with a volatile CH₃CN‐based electrolyte, under air mass 1.5 global sunlight. Photovoltage decay transients and ATR‐FTIR measurements allowed us to understand the photovoltaic performance, as well as the surface binding, of these new sensitizers.     

Enhanced Charge Separation Efficiency in Pyridine‐Anchored Phthalocyanine‐Sensitized Solar Cells by Linker Elongation

A series of zinc phthalocyanine sensitizers ( PcS22 – 24 ) having a pyridine anchoring group are designed and synthesized to investigate the structural dependence on performance in dye‐sensitized solar cells. The pyridine‐anchor zinc phthalocyanine sensitizer PcS23 shows 79 % incident‐photon to current‐conversion efficiency (IPCE) and 6.1 % energy conversion efficiency, which are comparable with similar phthalocyanine dyes having a carboxylic acid anchoring group. Based on DFT calculations, the high IPCE is attributed with the mixture of an excited‐state molecular orbital of the sensitizer and the orbitals of TiO₂. Between pyridine and carboxylic acid anchor dyes, opposite trends are observed in the linker‐length dependence of the IPCE. The red‐absorbing PcS23 is applied for co‐sensitization with a carboxyl‐anchor organic dye D131 that has a complementary spectral response. The site‐selective adsorption of PcS23 and D131 on the TiO₂ surface results in a panchromatic photocurrent response for the whole visible‐light region of sun light.     

Opp‐Dibenzoporphyrins as a Light‐Harvester for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

New opp‐dibenzoporphyrins were prepared in a concise method that was based on a Pd⁰‐catalyzed cascade reaction. These porphyrins, which contained carboxylic‐acid linker groups on benzene rings that were fused to the porphyrin at their β,β′‐positions, were examined as sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells for the first time. Whereas all of the porphyrins showed solar‐energy‐to‐electricity conversion, an opp‐dibenzoporphyrin with conjugated carboxylic‐acid linkers displayed the highest conversion efficiency and an exceptionally high J_sc value. Cyclic voltammetry of these porphyrins suggested that the fusion of two aromatic benzene rings onto the periphery of the porphyrin lowered the HOMO–LUMO energy gap; the incorporation of a conjugated carboxylic‐acid linker group decreased the HOMO–LUMO gap even further. These CV data are consistent with DFT calculations for these porphyrins and agree well with the UV/Vis absorption‐ and fluorescence spectra of these porphyrins.     

Tropolone as a High‐Performance Robust Anchoring Group for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A tropolone group has been employed for the first time as an anchoring group for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSC based on a porphyrin, YD2‐o‐C8T, with a tropolone moiety exhibited a power‐conversion efficiency of 7.7 %, which is only slightly lower than that observed for a reference porphyrin, YD2‐o‐C8 , with a conventional carboxylic group. More importantly, YD2‐o‐C8T was found to be superior to YD2‐o‐C8 with respect to DSSC durability and binding ability to TiO₂. These results unambiguously demonstrate that tropolone is a highly promising dye‐anchoring group for DSSCs in terms of device durability as well as photovoltaic performance.     

A Molecular Nanotube with Three‐Dimensional π‐Conjugation

A π‐conjugated twelve‐porphyrin tube is synthesized in 32 % yield by a template‐directed coupling reaction that joins together six porphyrin dimers, forming twelve new C? C bonds. The nanotube has two bound templates, enclosing an internal volume of approximately 4.5 nm³. Its UV/Vis/NIR absorption and fluorescence spectra resemble those of a previously reported six‐porphyrin ring, but are red‐shifted by approximately 300 cm^?1, reflecting increased conjugation. Ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrates extensive excited‐state delocalization. Transfer of electronic excitation from an initially formed state polarized in the direction of the nanotube axis (z axis) to an excited state polarized in the xy plane occurs within 200 fs, resulting in a negative fluorescence anisotropy on excitation at 742 nm.     

2,4‐Diamino‐5‐(1‐naphthyl)‐3,5‐diaza‐1‐azoniaspiro[5.5]undeca‐1,3‐diene chloride

The title salt, C₁₈H₂₂N₅⁺·Cl^?, is a member of a new series of lipophilic 4,6‐di­amino spiro‐s‐triazines which are potent in­hib­itors of di­hydro­folate reductase. The protonated triazine ring deviates from planarity, whereas the cyclo­hexane ring adopts a chair conformation. A rather unusual hydrogen‐bonding scheme exists in the crystal. There is a centrosymmetric arrangement involving two amino groups and two triazine ring N atoms, with graph‐set R(8) and an N?N distance of 3.098 (3) Å, flanked by two additional R(8) systems, involving two amino groups, a triazine ring N atom and a Cl^? anion, with N?Cl distances in the range 3.179 (2)–3.278 (2) Å. Furthermore, the Cl^? anion, the protonated triazine ring N atom and an amino group form a hydrogen‐bonding system with graph‐set R(6).     

Characterizing the Role of Iodine Doping in Improving Photovoltaic Performance of Dye‐Sensitized Hierarchically Structured ZnO Solar Cells

We report two novel types of hierarchically structured iodine‐doped ZnO (I? ZnO)‐based dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using indoline D205 and the ruthenium complex N719 as sensitizers. It was found that iodine doping boosts the efficiencies of D205 I? ZnO and N719 I? ZnO DSCs with an enhancement of 20.3 and 17.9 %, respectively, compared to the undoped versions. Transient absorption spectra demonstrated that iodine doping impels an increase in the decay time of I? ZnO, favoring enhanced exciton life. Mott–Schottky analysis results indicated a negative shift of the flat‐band potential (V_fb) of ZnO, caused by iodine doping, and this shift correlated with the enhancement of the open circuit voltage (V_oc). To reveal the effect of iodine doping on the effective separation of e^?‐h⁺ pairs which is responsible for cell efficiency, direct visualization of light‐induced changes in the surface potential between I? ZnO particles and dye molecules were traced by Kelvin probe force microscopy. We found that potential changes of iodine‐doped ZnO films by irradiation were above one hundred millivolts and thus significantly greater. In order to correlate enhanced cell performance with iodine doping, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, incident‐photon‐current efficiency, and cyclic voltammetry investigations on I? ZnO cells were carried out. The results revealed several favorable features of I? ZnO cells, that is, longer electron lifetime, lower charge‐transfer resistance, stronger peak current, and extended visible light harvest, all of which serve to promote cell performance.     

Catalytic Synthesis of 8‐Membered Ring Compounds via Cobalt(III)‐Carbene Radicals

The metalloradical activation of o‐aryl aldehydes with tosylhydrazide and a cobalt(II) porphyrin catalyst produces cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates, providing a new and powerful strategy for the synthesis of medium‐sized ring structures. Herein we make use of the intrinsic radical‐type reactivity of cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates in the [Co^II(TPP)]‐catalyzed (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) synthesis of two types of 8‐membered ring compounds; novel dibenzocyclooctenes and unprecedented monobenzocyclooctadienes. The method was successfully applied to afford a variety of 8‐membered ring compounds in good yields and with excellent substituent tolerance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results suggest that the reactions proceed via hydrogen atom transfer from the bis‐allylic/benzallylic C?H bond to the carbene radical, followed by two divergent processes for ring‐closure to the two different types of 8‐membered ring products. While the dibenzocyclooctenes are most likely formed by dissociation of o‐quinodimethanes (o‐QDMs) which undergo a non‐catalyzed 8π‐cyclization, DFT calculations suggest that ring‐closure to the monobenzocyclooctadienes involves a radical‐rebound step in the coordination sphere of cobalt. The latter mechanism implies that unprecedented enantioselective ring‐closure reactions to chiral monobenzocyclooctadienes should be possible, as was confirmed for reactions mediated by a chiral cobalt‐porphyrin catalyst.     

Double D–π–A Dye Linked by 2,2′‐Bipyridine Dicarboxylic Acid: Influence of para‐ and meta‐Substituted Carboxyl Anchoring Group

Starting from 2,2′‐bipyridine dicarboxylic acid, two new (D –π–A)₂ sensitizers, including m‐DA with the carboxyl anchoring group substituted meta to the donor‐bridge moiety and p‐DA with a para‐substituted anchoring group, were synthesized in order to evaluate the impact of the position of the anchoring group on the optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of dye‐sensitized solar cells. p‐DA exhibits red‐shifted absorption behavior compared to m‐DA, owing to the more efficiently extended π‐conjugation with para substitution. Both m‐DA and p‐DA are adsorbed on the mesoporous TiO₂ surface by using both of their carboxylic acid groups in a bianchoring mode, which is confirmed through attenuated total reflectance FTIR analysis. Red‐shifted absorption of p‐DA assists the achievement of a red‐shifted incident photon‐to‐electron conversion efficiency and a higher short‐circuit current density than m‐DA. The photogenerated electron lifetime in TiO₂ is also found to be higher for para substituted p‐DA than the meta‐substituted m‐DA, which results in a higher open‐circuit voltage. All of the results suggest that dicarboxyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine can be used as an acceptor for metal‐free organic sensitizers. However, the anchoring segments should be adjusted to the favorable position of the corresponding donor‐bridge moieties for better conjugation.     

2‐Ethyl‐6‐methylpyridin‐3‐ol and its salt bis(2‐ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐methylpyridinium) succinate

The title compounds, C₈H₁₁NO, (I), and 2C₈H₁₂NO⁺·C₄H₄O₄²⁻, (II), both crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. In the crystal structure of (I), intermolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds combine the molecules into polymeric chains extending along the c axis. The chains are linked by C—H...π interactions between the methylene H atoms and the pyridine rings into polymeric layers parallel to the ac plane. In the crystal structure of (II), the succinate anion lies on an inversion centre. Its carboxylate groups interact with the 2‐ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐methylpyridinium cations via intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds with the pyridine ring H atoms and O—H...O hydrogen bonds with the hydroxy H atoms to form polymeric chains, which extend along the [01] direction and comprise R₄⁴(18) hydrogen‐bonded ring motifs. These chains are linked to form a three‐dimensional network through nonclassical C—H...O hydrogen bonds between the pyridine ring H atoms and the hydroxy‐group O atoms of neighbouring cations. π–π interactions between the pyridine rings and C—H...π interactions between the methylene H atoms of the succinate anion and the pyridine rings are also present in this network.     

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Doubly β‐to‐β Bridged Cyclic ZnII Porphyrin Arrays

A series of doubly β‐to‐β bridged cyclic Zn^II porphyrin arrays were prepared by a stepwise Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of borylated Zn^II porphyrin with different bridge groups. The coupling of the building block of β,β′‐diboryl Zn^II porphyrin 1 with different bridges provided the doubly β‐to‐β carbazole‐bridged Zn^II porphyrin array 3 , the fluorene‐bridged Zn^II porphyrin array 5 , the fluorenone‐bridged Zn^II porphyrin array 7 , and the three‐carbazole‐bridged Zn^II porphyrin ring 8 . The structural assignment of 3 was confirmed by the X‐ray diffraction analysis, which revealed a highly symmetrical and remarkably bent syn‐form structure. The incorporation of bridge units with different electronic effects results in different photophysical properties of the cyclic Zn^II porphyrin arrays. Comprehensive photophysical studies demonstrate that the electron‐withdrawing bridge fluorenone has the largest electronic interaction with the Zn^II porphyrin unit among the series, thus resulting in the highest two‐photon absorption cross‐section values (σ⁽²⁾) of 6570±60 GM for 7 . The present work provides a new strategy for developing porphyrin‐based optical materials.