Isomeric Pyrene-Porphyrins for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: An Unexpected Enhancement of the Photovoltaic Performance upon Structural Modification.

Four pyrene-porphyrins were synthesized to study the isomer effect on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. One of these porphyrins is conjugated with a terminal pyrene, whereas the other three are each attached with a pyrene bearing an extra donor group. According to the positions of the extra donor and porphyrin core on pyrene, the 1,6-, 1,8-, and 2,7-isomers were compared for their fundamental and photovoltaic properties. For fundamental properties, UV-visible absorption, fluorescence emission, electrochemistry, and DFT calculations were carried out. For photovoltaic measurements, the seemingly inferior 1,8-isomer outperforms others with an overall efficiency of 10.30% under one-sun irradiation. Superior photovoltaic performance of the 1,8-isomeric dye may be related to the so-called umbrella effect. The findings of this work may provide insight into isomeric dye design for future applications.

Stimuli-responsive color films of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) complexed with cyano-capped chromophores.

Here, we develop a method to fabricate stimuli-responsive color films using block copolymer, poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (P4VP-PCL), as a template complexed with functionalized chromophores. The P4VP block in the P4VP-PCL can be associated with a cyano end-capped chromophore via charge transfer, which is a noncovalent interaction that can be conveniently manipulated by external stimuli, giving a specific color. The color of the film can be switched by tuning the charge transfer interaction between the chromophore and P4VP with controlled environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature, and moisture, while maintaining high transmittance for visible light due to the formation of the nanostructure of chromophore/P4VP-PCL complex. However, the association/dissociation process between chromophore and P4VP is diffusion-dominated, which may limit the kinetic response time for color change. A way to create quick and reversible color switching can be achieved by a combination of stimuli. The contrasting color change of the responsive chromophore/P4VP-PCL thin films which exhibit RGB primary colors can provide a sensor film that is flexible, fast-responsive, and convenient.