The research on sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cells based on (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine materials were reviewed, and experimental design and assembly method were advised. Latest progress and research status of sensitizer dyes based on metalloporphyrins applied in dye sensitized solar cells was summarized. The preparation and construction of sensitizer electrodes and dye sensitized solar cells based on metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine were projected.
Functional macrocycle complexes, metalloporphyrins, possess abundant photoelectric properties and molecular assembly model. For example, amidation of porphyrins single amino-group with tricarboxylic acid constructed a special superposed configuration with a helical porphyrin trimmer [
In this molecular assembly, the aldimine condensation was applied to construct the porphyrin networks, and several same condensations in porphyrin modification were also reported. A series of tetra Shiff base-porphyrins and a dimmer Schiff base porphyrin were successfully prepared [
A banded structure of whole conjugated metalloporphyrin resulted in extreme decrease of π electron transition gap, and its electron spectrum appeared at infrared region with large scale red shift [
In molecular assembly, metalloporphyrins also exhibited their outstanding characters. By amidating, mono aminophenyl-trialkoxyphenyl porphyrins and tricarboxylic acids were constructed pretty triple right-handed helices [
Above discussion indicated that as macrocyclic complexes, metalloporphyrins possessed important research significations and invaluable potential in developing molecular devices for photoelectric conversion and other functional material assembly. Therefore we proposed a research plan to prepare planar networks and steric frameworks based on porphyrins/phthalocyanine complexes, and they would be applied in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) to improved photoelectric conversion efficiency.
This research proposal mainly focused on the synthesis of covalently bonded porphyrin/phthalocyanine networks and frameworks and their application in dye sensitized solar cell, and attempted to find out the regularity in hybrid molecular assembly, to reveal their novel functions in photoelectric conversion. By in situ synthesis, porphyrin/phthalocyanine complexes would be directly bonded with bridge molecules to construct hybrid supramolecular material for improving photoelectric conversion efficiency and transmission efficiency, and therefore to develop sensitive detection of photoelectric properties and application of molecular devices, to realize the value for both theoretic research and application on photo/electric/magnetic molecular devices.
In this paper, several reported results on dye sensitized solar cells with macrocyclic sensitizers were reviewed; and the synthetic strategies of novel sensitizers based on metal-organic frameworks (MOfs, or covalent organic frameworks, COFs) of porphyrin/phthalocyanine and their derivatives were proposed based on typical chemical reaction to construct MOFs (COFs); and finally, typically solar cells with these novel MOFs (COFs) as sensitizers were designed to be assembled.
Much attention has been paid to metalloporphyrins as chromophores in research area of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In research of inorganic or organic solar cells, graphene-metalloporphyrin was selected as counter electrode material [
As a linker, trichloro triazine covalently bridge aminophenyl porphyrins together to form porphyrin dimmer and trimmer, which can be used as outstanding photosensitizers in DSSC [
MOFs based on porphyrin-metal complexes can selectively absorb small molecules, such as CO2, CO, and CH4, et al. [
Assembly types of MOFs based on porphyrin/phthalocyanine were summarized as: 1) porphyrin molecules (peripheral groups were usually selected as carboxyl) were combined with hard acid-O clusters, and the hard acids were high valence ions, including Al and Zr [
Porous MOFs of porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives can selectively absorb and activate small inorganic and organic molecules; moreover the different properties between central metal and peripheral substituent; the different assembly models, including non-valent and covalent linkage; endow MOFs of porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives with abundant photoelectric properties. Therefore these MOFs were always selected as candidates in molecular devices, including photosensitizers in dye sensitized solar cells; sensitive probes in molecule recognitions; and highly active and selective catalysts in catalysis. The most attractive functions were the photoelectric conversion/energy transfer based on MOFs of porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives.
Till now seldom research on dye sensitized solar cells using covalent MOFs or COFs, the esterification, amidation and Schiff base condensation products, were reported. Therefore here we designed several porphyrin/phthalocyanine MOFs and COFs, and except exploring their synthesis, assembly, characterization and property determination. The prepared MOFs and COFs would be applied as sensitizer in DSSCs for improving photoelectric transformation efficiency, and they were also used as catalysts in special reaction and molecular recognition. The creative thinking is exhibited in the structure design and molecular device applications.
The reported research indicated that almost all MOFs materials of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine were adopted the electrovalent coordination of peripheral carboxyl with metal clusters. This electrovalent coordination is not stable enough to sustain the MOFs structures. The stable covalent coordination was adopted as Schiff base connection, and several delectable research results were reported. In this project, we would employ (metallo)porphyrins and phthalocyanines with peripherally active groups, including hydroxyls and amino groups, and by covalently linking with bridge moelecules with multi groups of carboxyl, formyl, amino groups and acyl chlorides to construct novel networks and frameworks of porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives, and the covalent interaction in the COFs would be ester, amido and Schiff base bonds.
For preparation efficient sensitizers based on metalloporphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives, covalent bonded COFs with A-π-D configurations must be designed in synthetic strategy. Except conjugated macrocyclic complexes, all bridge linkers were selected with aromatic structures for enhancing the A-π-D configurations.
Chlorides of terephthalic acid and benzenetricarboxylic acid were synthesized by using relative acids and thionyl chloride as raw materials. These organic chlorides will directly react with tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin and tetra(4-aminophenyl) porphyrin/phthalocyanines and their complexes to construct the expected 2 dimensional networks and 3 dimensional frameworks (COFs). The bridge molecules would be selected as multi organic acids, 2, 4, 6-trichloro-[1, 3, 5]-triazine; phthalaldehyde, isophthalaldehyde, orthophthalaldehyde, and biphenyl-4, 4'-dicarbaldehyde, et al.
The sizes of channels and cavities in the COFs were controlled by selecting different size of bridge molecules for convenient recognizing and activating small molecules in catalytic conversion of CO2, H2O, H2O2, CO, CH4, CH3CHO and CH2O.
The intended COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives integrate electron donor-electron acceptor (D-A), the integrated D-A model omit the segment of π electron transfer, and realize directly photoelectron transporting from donor to acceptor, and therefore photoelectric effect of the MOFs will be much enhanced.
Electrode of the intended COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives would be prepared and their functionality would be explored, such as hydrogen production in photochemical water splitting for getting clean energy source; electrocatalysis of CO2 for small organic compound preparation; 4e− reduction of oxygen molecules for increasing atomic economics; and related molecular recognition for selective separation of mixture gases.
Preparation of dye sensitized solar cells with sensitizer of the intended COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives would supplied novel energy resources for protecting environment, realizing energy-saving and emission-reduction. Therefore this proposal is a completely new attempt.
The porphyrins, phthalocyanine and their complexes for assembly of the intended MOFs or COFs were described in Scheme 1. Porphyrins and related complexes were prepared according to the reported references (a. J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem., 1970, 32, 2443; b. J. Org. Chem., 1987, 52, 827.). Synthetic method of amino phthalocyanine and its complexes was summarized from our experimental exploring.
Terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and benzenetricarboxylic acid react with thionyl chloride to obtain their relative acylchlorides. After esterification or
Scheme 1. Molecule structures and synthesis of the (metallo)porphyrins, phthalocyanine and their related complexes for constructing the intended COFs (All molecules were designed as symmetric or asymmetric ones for increasing formation probability of ester and amido bonds).
amidation, these acyl chlorides and tetra(hydroxyphenyl)-, tetra(aminophenyl)- porphyrins and tetra(aminophenyl)-phthalocyanine would be constructed into the intended COFs. (
Properties and crystal morphology of the novel (metallo)porphyrin/phthalo- cyanine COFs would be characterized and determined by spectral and electron microscopic analysis. Especially, the functions of photocatalysis and molecular recognitions of the novel COFs would be explored and investigated intensively.
The COFs of porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives would be assembled as photo permeable electrodes and their photovoltaic effects and photocurrent intensity would be determined. These electrodes would be used in electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis. Finally, novel dye sensitized solar cells would be designed and assembled with this photo permeable electrodes, and the cells efficiencies would be examined and improved. According to reported method [
1) Assemble conditions in assembly of COFs of porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives would be optimized, including selections of central metals, peripheral groups, bridge molecules and their multi function groups, reaction types for covalent bond formation. Exploring bridging reaction conditions for constructing COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives with excellent photoelectric effects; 2) The intended COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives would be designed and constructed as electrodes and even the intended DSSC, and the properties of these molecular devices would be evaluated by extensive determinations, including facial load, DSSC preparation and functional examination. In situ determination would be also employed by combine determinations of photoelectrochemistry, photoelectro-EPR monitoring, designation
and test for photocurrent and photovoltage effects; 3) More attention should be focused on high performance DSSC designation, assembly and their efficiency determinations.
The thionyl chloride would be employed in chlorination of bridge polyacids for getting more active bridge molecules in constructing COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives by esterification and amidation. Other bridging molecules, including di- and tri-halogenated aromatics and aromatic polyaldehydes, could be directly used in etherification and aldimine condensation to construct the purpose COFs. The possible bridging reactions were summarized in Schemes 2-5.
Hydroxyphenyl, aminophenyl porphyrins, and amino phthalocyanine derivatives would be linked together to construct their COFs by esterification and amidation (Scheme 2).
Their COFS also would be constructed by etherification and amino substitution. In this type construction, the bridging molecules would be selected as di- and tri-halogenated aromatics (Scheme 3). Aldol condensation would be employed for constructing the COFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives resulted Schiff base bond linkage (Scheme 4). Tricloro-triazene would be employed as bridging molecule, too (Scheme 5).
Although synthesis of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine and their derivatives was already mature, the bridging reaction conditions should be explored and improved intensively. For example, in the heterogeneous reactions to construct COFs, phase transfer catalysts, quaternary ammonium salts, would be used to accelerate formation of covalent linkage. In consideration of electron effects and steric effects, the substituents of benzaldehydes and central metals in
Scheme 2. Bridging bond formation with esterification and amidation.
Scheme 3. COFs constructed by di- and tri-halogenated aromatics.
macrocyclic complexes should be selected, modified and replaced respectively. Beside of covalent bridging, the axial coordination is also a driving force for MPor/MPC COFs construction.
Scheme 4. Bridging bond formation with aldol condensation.
The sizes and molecular weights of the intended COFs based on (metallo) porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives should be efficiently controlled, and moreover with peripheral modification, trying to enhance solubility of the intended COFs in organic and aqueous solutions in convenience for construction of molecular devices.
During synthesis and molecular assembly, instrument and determination method are indispensible. The characterization and property determination would be carried out by employ of UV-Vis, IR, Raman, NMR, EPR, AFM and SEM method.
In electrode preparation, controlling hydrolysis of Ti(OC2H5)4 on the surface of TCO(Transparent conducting oxide) glasses, and after cementation the TiO2 nanofilm would formed for increasing photoabsorption and physical-chemistry
Scheme 5. COFs constructed by trichloro-triazene.
adhesion towards the intended COFs. For avoiding COFs’ dissolution, these electrodes would be used in solutions with more different polarity in photoelectrochemistry determinations (cyclic voltammetry, constant potential electrolysis, and determinations of photocurrent and photovoltage etc.). Finally, the photo-active electrodes based on the MOFs of (metallo)porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives would be efficiently assembled in dye sensitized solar cells for getting novel energy sources.
For activating esterification and amidation, poly acid bridge molecules must be chloridized by thionyl chloride; other selected bridge molecules can be directly used in constructing of MPor/MPC COFs, including networks and stereo frameworks.
During assembly of MPor/MPC COFs, the conditions of inhomogeneous reactions should be paid more attention, and even phase transfer catalyst of quaternary ammonium salts would be employed necessarily. Meanwhile, the polarity of solvents would be selected suitably to accelerate formation of the COFs; and the attention should be paid to the structural characterization and performance testing of the novel materials.
In functional determination experiments, electrochemistry/photochemistry/ spectrochemistry method would be adopted to detect redox, photoelectric conversion and electrolysis properties of the COFs. Some special determination devices, including light permeable thin layer electrochemical cells and EPR-electrochemical cells for in situ determinations, should be designed and constructed.
For preparation of the MPor/MPC COFs electrodes, firstly Ti(OC2H5)4 would be hydrolyzed on the surfaces of ITO glasses (indium tin oxide, light permeable-conductive glasses) under controlling conditions, and followed by heating for completely hydrolysis to convert into TiO2 nanoparticles. Then MPor/MPC COFs would be dispersed in suitable solvents and dipped in the previous treated surfaces of the electrodes. By physical and weak chemical interactions, MPor/MPC COFs would be tightly combined with TiO2 nanoparticles, and these MPor/MPC-COFs-TiO2-ITO electrodes would be applied in photoelectrochemical catalysis and molecular recognizing to investigate catalytic mechanism molecular recognition efficiencies. Furthermore the electrodes would be assembled the desired dye sensitized solar cells for examinations of their photoelectric conversion efficiency, cell performance and cell life. A highly efficient and energy saving dye sensitized solar cell is expected to be selected for practice application.
a) In situ determination devices, including spectroscopic electrochemistry and EPR-electrochemistry, are needed to be designed and prepared; determination method and relative kinetic research should be developed.
b) Photoelectric conversion efficiency and its influence factors should be confirmed. The relationship between material structure and cell performance should be definitely formalized, and the influence regulation of structure on properties would be summarized.
Thionyl chloride (dichloro sulfoxide, DCSO) is an efficient reagent for chloridization of organic acid. After chloridization, poly acid chlorides become more active in bridging reaction with hydroxyl- and amino-porphyrin/phthalocyanine derivatives to construct their COFs. Conditions for other bridging reactions, including etherification and imidization with halogenated bridging molecules, would be intensively explored. For realizing complete condensation, the hydroxyl in peripheral hydroxyphenyl around macrocycles should be conversed into phenolic sodium salt to react with halogenated bridging molecules to construct their COFs. In consideration of stereo effect, para-substituted porphyrin derivatives are suitable in assembly of planar networks; while the meta- and ortho-substituted ones are selected as candidates for constructing 3D frameworks.
The intended COFs of Por/PC derivatives would be characterized by normal determinations. Their functional investigation would be focused on efficiency of photocatalysis and biomolecular recognition, including photocatalytic degradation of water and electroreduction of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules under photoelectric conversion. As results, clean energy sources would be created, the atomic economics of oxygen molecules would be adequately realized, and pollution from CO2 greenhouse gas would be restrained effectively. Our previous research on electrocarboxylation of CO2 [
Preparation of electrodes and DSSC assembly based on the intended COFs of Por/PC derivatives, and the in situ determinations of their properties were all derived from the reliable sources. The research plan would be regarded as the foundation of follow-up application, and be expected to get a breakthrough research results.
The previous research was predominantly concentrated in chemical synthesis and characterizations for macrocyclic compounds. Although applications in photoelectrochemical determination method was established and catalysis in CO2 electric reduction [
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong province (Grant No. 2017A030313071), Excellent Young Teacher Development Project of Universities in Guangdong Province (Grant No. 261532106) and the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program (Grant No. 502150105).
Lin, H., Wu, Y.H., Tong, S.L., Hu, S., Li, H.D., Pan, C.Y. and Yan, Y. (2018) Assembly of Covalently Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Molecular Framework Based on Porphyrin and Phthalocyanine Derivatives―Sensitizer for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. Open Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 8, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojic.2018.81001