Push-pull photochromic dyes for semi-transparent solar cells with light-adjustable optical properties and high color-rendering index.

We report the design, synthesis and characterization of push-pull photochromic naphthopyran dyes, incorporating different carbazole moieties as the electron-donor group for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. Compared to a reference dye incorporating a diphenylamine-type donor moiety, the introduction of functionalized carbazoles allows for a hypsochromic shift of the absorption of the coloured isomers of the dyes in the visible region and a better tuning of their spectra to the photopic response of the human eye. Under illumination, the molecules exhibit a broad absorption with a maximum comprised between 546 nm and 571 nm in solution and they reveal relatively fast discoloration kinetics.

Efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells based on solution processed small molecules based on the same benzo[1,2-b:4, 5-b']thiophene unit as core donor and different terminal units.

We report the synthesis, characterization, and optical and electrochemical of properties of two novel molecules DRT3-BDT (1) and DTT3-BDT (2), comprising the same BDT central core (donor) and different end capped acceptor units, i.e. rhodanine with ethyl hexyl and thiazolidione with ethylhexyl, respectively, linked via an alkyl-substituted terthiophene (3 T) π-conjugation bridge.

Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of the A-π-D-π-A porphyrin and its application as an electron donor in efficient solution processed bulk heterojunction solar cells.

A conjugated acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-π-D-π-A) with the Zn-porphyrin core and the di-cyanovinyl substituted thiophene (A) connected at meso positions denoted as was designed and synthesized. The optical and electrochemical properties of were investigated. This new porphyrin exhibits a broad and intense absorption in the visible and near infrared regions.

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 (1)H NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, UV-visible emission spectroscopies as well as electrochemical methods.

Axial-bonding heterotrimers based on tetrapyrrolic rings: synthesis, characterization, and redox and photophysical properties.

We prepared two heterooligomeric arrays based on free base/metalloporphyrins at axial positions and a metalloid phthalocyanine as a basal scaffolding unit by using the axial-bonding capabilities as well as the known oxophilicity of dihydroxytin(IV) phthalocyanine. Both heterotrimers were completely characterized by elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF MS, and 1H NMR (one- and two-dimensional), UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. The ground-state properties indicate that there is minimal pi-pi interaction between the macrocyclic units.