Abstract
Photovoltaic properties of the natural dyes of chlorophylls consist of
Chl a, Chl b, Chl c2, Chl d, Phe a, Phe y and Mg-Phe a, were studied in
the gas phases. The extension of the π-conjugated system, the
substitution of the central Mg2+ and proper functional groups in the
chlorophyll structures can amplify the charge transfer and photovoltaic
performance. Chl a shows more favorable dynamics of charge transfer than
other studied chlorophylls. Chl d, Phe a, Phe y and Mg-Phe a, have a
greater rate of the exciton dissociation in comparison with Chl a, Chl
b, and Chl c2 originated from a lower electronic chemical hardness, a
lower exciton binding energy, and a bigger electron-hole radius. As a
result, better efficiencies of the light-harvesting and energy
conversion of the chlorophylls mainly appear in the Soret band. Finally,
based on the energy conversion efficiency, Chl a, Phe a, and Mg-Phe a,
are proposed as the best candidates for using in the dye-sensitized
solar cells.