Synthesis, photo-electrochemical properties and dye-sensitized solar cell performance of d–π–A structured porphyrins

Two new dye sensitizers 5-(N,N-4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-10-(4-(tert-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate)phenyl)porphyrin (TP) and 5-(N, N-4-(bis(4-butylphenyl) amino) phenyl)-10-(4-(tert-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate)phenyl)porphyrin (BUTP) with cyanoacrylic acid as electron acceptor were synthesized and researched. BUTP has strong absorption in a wide range of 300–726 nm. DSSCs sensitized by BUTP displayed a power conversion efficiency (η) 5.33%, JSC 12.21 mA cm−2, Voc 0.68 V, FF 0.65, under the illumination of AM 1.5 G. Spectral properties, electrochemical properties, photovoltaic and electrochemical impedance properties of TP and BUTP were also investigated. Considering its simple synthesis, both TP and BUTP were qualified sensitizers for DSSCs.