Evaluation of covalently linked (bacterio)chlorin-fullerenes as components for organic solar cells

Abstract

A series of (bacterio)chlorophyll derivatives covalently linked with fullerenes were synthesized to explore their potential as donor–acceptor conjugates to organic solar cells (OSCs). Their physical properties and photovoltaic performances were investigated and compared with (bacterio)chlorins without fullerenes. A weak intramolecular interaction between the (bacterio)chlorin chromophore and the fullerene unit(s) was observed in their electronic absorption spectra in solution, and efficient fluorescence quenching occurred in their monomeric states. All the (bacterio)chlorin-fullerene conjugates worked as components for single material OSCs and the best power conversion efficiency of 0.62% with [Formula: see text] mA cm[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] V, and [Formula: see text] was achieved for chlorin-C3-methyl phenyl-C[Formula: see text]-butylate, DA-2.