Promising fluorescent dye for solar energy conversion based on a perylene perinone

We describe the synthesis of a dye based on a perylene perinone and evaluate its potential as the functional material for use in the luminescent solar concentrator (LSC). The dye extends the absorption wavelength of LSCs using the perylene-based dye Lumogen Red 305 by more than ~50 nm, translating into the collection of potentially 25% more photons at a reasonable fluorescent quantum yield and photostability. When the new perinone is used in a two-waveguide LSC in conjunction with Red 305, the integrated edge emission of the total LSC system may be increased more than 24% when compared to the Red 305 dye alone. © 2011 Optical Society of America.