Non-aggregated hyperbranched phthalocyanines: single molecular nanostructures for efficient semi-opaque photovoltaics

A series of single molecular nanostructured hyperbranched phthalocyanines, HBMPc-COOH (M = H2, AlCl, Co, Cu, Zn), have been synthesized, characterized, and systematically studied as efficient semi-opaque sensitizers of TiO2 by using ultraviolet-visible absorption, steady-state and femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, current–voltage and photoelectric measurements. The inherent steric effect within these hyperbranched structures effectively suppresses the aggregation of phthalocyanine rings on TiO2 surface, providing a facile approach for improving the photovoltaic performance of phthalocyanine-based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A power conversion efficiency of 1.15% along with a high incident photon to current conversion efficiency of 66.7% at 670 nm is achieved from HBZnPc-COOH sensitized solar cells. These results are consistent with findings from the femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence study, which reveals an ultrafast and efficient multi-phasic interfacial electron injection from both the Soret and Q bands to the conduction band of TiO2. The changing of the metal centers dramatically affects the optical, photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the hyperbranched phthalocyanines. Zinc has been found to be the best metal center in the whole series for the design of hyperbranched phthalocyanine-based dyes for DSSC applications.