Styryl and phenylethynyl based coumarin chromophores for dye sensitized solar cells

Sérgio Martins, João Avó, João Lima, José Nogueira, Luísa Andrade, Adélio Mendes, António Pereira, Paula S. Branco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A set of coumarin dyes with styryl and phenylethynyl π-bridge at the 3-position were tested for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The natural product 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (Esculetin) was used as starting material. Crucial steps for extension of the conjugated system involved Sonogashira and regioselective Heck arylation reactions, yielding highly fluorescent molecules. The photophysical characterization showed that the extension of conjugation via the alkynyl bridge resulted in redshifted absorption and emission spectra relatively to the parent compound. Electrochemical studies revealed that this derivatization resulted in a marked decrease in HOMO energy levels, which had a marked effect on sensitized solar cell performance. The overall conversion efficiency of the phenylethynyl derivatives proved to be significantly superior (ca. 45%) to the vinyl derivatives, with 6a showing a 2% conversion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)564-569
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
Volume353
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2018

Keywords

  • Charge transfer
  • Coumarin dyes
  • Dye-sensitized solar cells
  • Quantum yields
  • Styryl vs phenylethynyl bridges

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