Dipyrrin-based complexes for solution-processed organic solar cells

Abstract

Three dipyrrin-containing metal complexes and a boron dipyrromethene(BODIPY)-containing complex were designed and synthesized. The photophysical properties, electrochemical behaviours and photovoltaic performance were extensively investigated. Density functional theory calculations were also performed on those complexes. These complexes, together with electron-acceptor [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester, were utilized for the fabrication of solution-processed bulk heterojunction solar cells as the electron-donor materials. The more efficient electron acceptor BODIPY segment renders a lower energy gap and a relatively better photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 0.58%. These results prove that BODIPY segment has a great potential for constructing efficient organic solar cell materials.

Keywords

Dipyrrin-metal / Boron dipyrromethene(BODIPY) / Solution-processed / Bulk-heterojunction / Organic solar cell

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