Synthesis and characterization of β-pyrrolic functionalized porphyrins as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

New beta-pyrrolic functionalized porphyrins with donor-pi-acceptor character were synthesized and characterized as dye sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells. Two types of pi-conjugated spacers, namely benzene and thiophene rings, with cyanoacrylic acid as an acceptor were linked to the porphyrin ring at the beta-pyrrolic position. These porphyrins showed high thermal and electrochemical stability. As sensitizers, the porphyrin dye bearing a thiophene ring as the it-conjugated spacer gave better cell performance with a short-circuit photocurrent density (J(sc)) of 4.57 mA cm(-2), an open-circuit voltage (V-oc) of 0.59 V, and a fill factor (ff) of 0.59, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency (eta) of 1.94%. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.