Porphyrin dyes have an inherent tendency to aggregate. This leads to a self-quenching phenomenon that hinders electron transfer to the conduction band of semiconductors in dye-sensitized solar cells. Self-quenching adversely affects the efficiency of solar cells. Here, we report the interaction of porphyrin with pristine and acid-functionalized fullerene molecules on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles under chemisorbed conditions. Chemisorption of porphyrin only on ZnO nanoparticles instigates aggregation of the porphyrin molecules. These aggregates can be effectively broken by chemisorbing fullerene molecules on the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles. This is due to self-assembly formation processes because of porphyrin–fullerene interactions. The nanohybrid material, consisting of ZnO nanorods, acid-functionalized porphyrin, and fullerene derivatives, was characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The material generates better performing dye-sensitized solar cells when compared with those fabricated from porphyrin-based photo-active material.
The role of the electronic structure and solvent in the dye-sensitized solar cells based on Zn-porphyrins: Theoretical study