Synthesis of Donor Substituted Chlorophyll Derivatives for Applications in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Organic dyes based on chlorophyll derivatives were synthesized and investigated with respect to applications in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis cultivated on large scales in tropical areas around the Pacific Ocean is an attractive source for production and isolation of pure chlorophyll a. Direct transformation of chlorophyll a into very robust chlorin e(6) trimethylester 3 affords an ideal platform for synthesis of dyes for artificial photosynthesis. A series of molecules 24-32 with donor-pi-acceptor structures and functional groups for immobilization on TiO2 were achieved by subsequent synthetic modifications of 3. Photochemical, theoretical and electrochemical properties of dyes were investigated and their sensitized solar cells performances studied after immobilization on TiO2.

Automated summary

Organic dyes based on chlorophyll derivatives were synthesized for applications in dye sensitized solar cells, with chlorophyll a being transformed into chlorin e(6) trimethylester 3 for synthesis. A series of molecules with donor-pi-acceptor structures for immobilization on TiO2 were achieved through subsequent synthetic modifications of 3. The photochemical, theoretical, and electrochemical properties of the dyes were investigated, and their performances in sensitized solar cells after immobilization on TiO2 were studied.