Phthalocyanine-pyrene conjugates: a powerful approach toward carbon nanotube solar cells

J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Nov 17;132(45):16202-11. doi: 10.1021/ja107131r. Epub 2010 Oct 25.

Abstract

In the present work, a new family of pyrene (Py)-substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs), i.e., ZnPc-Py and H(2)Pc-Py, were designed, synthesized, and probed in light of their spectroscopic properties as well as their interactions with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The pyrene units provide the means for non-covalent functionalization of SWNTs via π-π interactions. Such a versatile approach ensures that the electronic properties of SWNTs are not impacted by the chemical modification of the carbon skeleton. The characterization of ZnPc-Py/SWNT and H(2)Pc-Py/SWNT has been performed in suspension and in thin films by means of different spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical techniques. Transient absorption experiments reveal photoinduced electron transfer between the photoactive components. ZnPc-Py/SWNT and H(2)Pc-Py/SWNT have been integrated into photoactive electrodes, revealing stable and reproducible photocurrents with monochromatic internal photoconversion efficiency values for H(2)Pc-Py/SWNT as large as 15 and 23% without and with an applied bias of +0.1 V.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Isoindoles
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Pyrenes / chemistry*
  • Solar Energy*

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Pyrenes
  • pyrene
  • phthalocyanine