Novel zinc porphyrin with phenylenevinylene meso-substituents: Synthesis and application in dye-sensitized solar cells

► A novel zinc porphyrin, P, with phenylenevinylene segments at two opposite meso-positions was synthesized. ► Elongation of the π-conjugation enhanced the solubility of P as well as broadened and strengthened the absorption spectrum. ► P was used as photosensitizer for quasi solid state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). ► Power conversion efficiency of 4.22% was obtained for the DSSC based on P upon addition of deoxycholic acid.