Synthesis of push–pull porphyrin with two electron-donating and two electron-withdrawing groups and its application to dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract

We synthesized for the first time a push–pull porphyrin dye bearing two diarylamino groups and two carboxyphenylethynyl groups as electron-donating and electron-withdrawing anchoring groups, respectively. The absorption spectrum displayed broad and red-shifted absorption, achieving panchromic light-harvesting in visible and NIR regions. Introduction of multiple push–pull groups into meso-positions is a promising strategy for the rational design of porphyrin sensitizers for light-harvesting applications. The preliminary photovoltaic performance is moderate (3.0%), but the extensive photocurrent generation matches with the excellent light-harvesting ability. Further modulation of the photovoltaic properties of porphyrin DSSCs will be possible by suitable selection of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups as well as introduction of the substituents into the porphyrin core.