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Increased Efficiency of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells by Incorporation of a π Spacer in Donor–Acceptor Zinc Porphyrins Bearing Cyanoacrylic Acid as an Anchoring Group
Author(s) -
Panagiotakis Stylianos,
Giannoudis Emmanouil,
Charisiadis Asterios,
Paravatou Raphaella,
Lazaridi MariaEleni,
Kandyli Maria,
Ladomenou Kalliopi,
Angaridis Panagiotis A.,
Bertrand Hélène C.,
Sharma Ganesh D.,
Coutsolelos Athanassios G.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201800123
Subject(s) - chemistry , dye sensitized solar cell , photochemistry , porphyrin , energy conversion efficiency , electrochemistry , short circuit , homo/lumo , acceptor , solar cell , electrode , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , electrolyte , materials science , molecule , physics , quantum mechanics , voltage , condensed matter physics
Two novel porphyrins, ZnP(SP)CNCOOH and ZnPCNCOOH, bearing cyanoacrylic acid as an anchoring group were synthesized. Porphyrin ZnP(SP)CNCOOH contains a π‐conjugated spacer (SP) for improved electronic communication between the dye and the TiO 2 electrode. The spacer bears polyethylene glycol chains to prevent dye aggregation and to enhance solubility of the dye. Electrochemical measurements and theoretical calculations suggest that both porphyrins are promising sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as their molecular orbital energy levels favor electron injection and dye regeneration. Solar cells sensitized by ZnP(SP)CNCOOH and ZnPCNCOOH show power conversion efficiencies of 7.61 and 5.02 %, respectively. Photovoltaic measurements ( J – V curves and incident photon to current conversion efficiency spectra) show that higher short‐circuit current ( J sc ) and open‐circuit voltage ( V oc ) values are reached for the solar cell based on ZnP(SP)CNCOOH. This can be mainly ascribed to suppressed charge recombination, as indicated by their electrochemical impedance spectra.