The structural modification of thiophene-linked porphyrin sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Three donor–(π-spacer)–acceptor porphyrin dyes were synthesized for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. The dyes comprised the same donor (porphyrin derivative) and acceptor/anchoring group (2-cyanoacrylic acid) but varying π-spacer consisting of a combination of 4-methylthiophene, 4-hexylthiophene or 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene groups. The dyes displayed different adsorption behavior and coverage of the TiO2 surface.