Synthesis and Characterization of C60-Porphyrin Derivatives for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance through Efficient Charge Generation and Transport.

Although organic photovoltaics has been developed for over 30 years, low device efficiency still hinders it from wide use. To efficiently convert solar radiation into electricity, a material must convert solar radiation to charges and charge transport channels are required. C60-porphyrin dyads are highly efficient charge generation media. However, making transport channels by packing such dyads into an ordered structure remains challenging. In this study, a C60-porphyrin dyad (MonoC60-Por) capable of forming hexagonal columnar phase has been synthesized. DSC thermal diagrams show one main phase transition process in MonoC60-Por. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction results reveal that the phase transition is between isotropic melt and a hexagonal columnar phase. Significant quenching of fluorescence of the porphyrin core in the dyad is observed by steady-state fluorescence measurement, which is indicative of potential high charge generation. The ordered structure formed by MonoC60-Por therefore holds the potential to enhance organic photovoltaic efficiency through efficient charge generation and transport.