Axial anchoring designed silicon–porphyrin sensitizers for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Using silicon as a central atom of porphyrin allows the introduction of axial ligands, which are not only employed to prevent the aggregation of the macrocycles but also anchor the dyes onto the TiO₂ surface. A dye-sensitized solar cell with this porphyrin sensitizer achieved a broad IPCE of around 40–60% between 380 and 670 nm.