Recent Advances in Phthalocyanine‐Based Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Abstract Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on nanocrystalline semiconductors have attracted significant attention as lower‐cost alternatives to conventional silicon‐based solar cells. The photosensitizers are vital components for the development of photovoltaic devices of this kind. Over the years, the most successful sensitizers have been Ru II polypyridyl complexes, achieving power conversion efficiencies up to 11.5 %. However, due to their limited light‐harvesting capacity and the high cost of Ru‐dyes, efforts have also been directed towards the use of organic dyes. Among the wide range of sensitizers of this kind, phthalocyanines (Pcs) are very attractive because of their light‐harvesting properties in the red and near‐IR spectral region, as well as their thermal and chemical stability. The performance of Pc‐based devices has improved over the years, reaching 5.9 %, thanks to rational design of the phthalocyanine structure. In this microreview we review recent advances in the use of phthalocyanines as photosensitizers for DSSC applications.