Phthalocyanines for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are robust and intensely colored macrocycles (blue pigments) with high chemical, thermal and light stability, properties that are of paramount importance for realistic photovoltaic applications. In particular, Pcs have played a very important role in the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as they are promising candidates for incorporation in these devices. Good efficiencies have been obtained by the use of Pcs as the light harvester, and, most importantly, a number of synthetic strategies have been developed for engineered dyes based on the Pc scaffold, due to the synthetic versatility and robustness of these macrocycles. In this review, recent advances in the use of phthalocyanines as photosensitizers for DSSC applications are presented.