Organic dyes with a novel anchoring group for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Two novel trialkylsilyl-containing organic sensitizers (JK-53 and JK-54) have been designed and synthesized. Nanocrystalline TiO₂–silica-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using these dyes. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar conditions, the JK-53-sensitized cell gave a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 6.37 mA cm^?2, an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.70 V, and a fill factor of 0.74. These values correspond to an overall conversion efficiency (η) of 3.31%. By comparison, the JK-54-sensitized cell resulted in a J_sc of 7.52 mA cm^?2, a V_oc of 0.71 V, and a fill factor of 0.75. These values give an overall conversion efficiency of 4.01%.     

Synthesis of triphenylamine-based thiophene-(N-aryl)pyrrole-thiophene dyes for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Two new triphenylamine-based metal-free organic dyes (TPTDYE-1 and TPTDYE-2) containing 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,5-di(2-thienyl)pyrrole as a new π-conjugated chromophore were synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. TPTDYE-1 containing three donor groups around the acceptor group was found to show relatively narrow absorption band from 300 nm to 470 nm while TPTDYE-2 having extended π–π delocalization between the donor and acceptor group showed broad absorption band from 300 nm to 550 nm. The electrochemical studies indicate that the HOMO–LUMO energy gap of TPTDYE-1 is considerably wider than that of TPTDYE-2. The dye-sensitized solar cell performance of each dye was investigated, and the TPTDYE-2-sensitized cell was found to show a maximum monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 75%, a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 13.50 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.72 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.69, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 6.71% under simulated AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW/cm²). Under the same condition the TPTDYE-1-sensitized cell showed the same IPCE value of 75% with a promising conversion efficiency of 6.00%, a J_sc of 11.11 mA/cm², a V_oc of 0.76 V, and a FF of 0.71.     

High-surface-area microporous carbon as the efficient photocathode of dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper reports on the application of cornstalks-derived high-surface-area microporous carbon (MC) as the efficient photocathode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The photocathode, which contains MC active material, Vulcan XC–72 carbon black conductive agent, and TiO₂ binder, was obtained by a doctor blade method. Electronic impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the MC film uniformly coated on fluorine doped SnO₂ (FTO) glass displayed a low charge-transfer resistance of 1.32 Ω cm². Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis of the as-prepared MC film exhibited excellent catalytic activity for I₃^?/I^? redox reactions. The DSCs assembled with the MC film photocathode presented a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 14.8 mA cm^?2, an open-circuit photovoltage (V_oc) of 798 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 62.3%, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.36% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2), which is comparable to that of DSCs with Pt photocathode obtained by conventional thermal decomposition.     

A novel deep eutectic solvent-based ionic liquid used as electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

We utilize a quaternary ammonium salt-derivative ionic liquid called G.CI which is a eutectic mixture of glycerol and choline iodide as electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. Such eutectic compound belongs to a new series of ionic liquid called deep eutectic solvents (DES), which possess many outstanding features compared to the traditional imidazolium-based ionic liquids including cheap raw materials, simple preparation procedures and better biocompatibility. Current–voltage characteristics of the G.CI/PMII-based binary electrolytes stand at 0.533 V on V_oc, 12.0 mA cm^?2 on J_sc, 0.582 on fill factor, and 3.88% cell efficiency under AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm² illuminations. The comparable cell performance together with all the above advantages makes G.CI as a strong candidate for future electrolyte development for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of organic sensitizers containing electron-deficient and electron-rich fused thiophene for dye-sensitized solar cells

Diverse fused thiophenes with electron-rich and electron-deficient blocks have been synthesized and employed as the π-conjugated spacers of organic dyes for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effects of these fused thiophenes were investigated by their absorption spectra, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties. For a typical device a maximum power conversion efficiency of 6.11% was obtained under simulated AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2): a short-circuit current (J_SC) of 14.47 mA cm^?2, an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 670 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.63.     

Anthracene based organic dipolar compounds for sensitized solar cells

Organic dyes that consist of an anthracene moiety between a triphenylamine donor group and a cyanoacrylic acid acceptor group displayed remarkable solar-to-energy conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells. The planar geometry of anthracene and its bulky substituents helped the dyes to form a high quality monolayer on the surface of TiO₂. A typical device made with the dye AN-Bu displayed a maximal photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) 65% in the region of 350–510 nm, a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) 12.78 mA cm⁻², an open-circuit photovoltage (V_oc) 0.73 V, and a fill factor (FF) 0.67, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency 6.23%. In an experiment of using deoxycholic acid (DCA) as a co-absorbent, the values of V_oc stayed in a similar range, yet the values of J_sc were reduced in ca. 11% due to a decrease of loading amounts. This result indicated that the quality of the dye films cannot be further improved by the adding of DCA. The photophysical properties were analyzed with the aid of a time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) model with the B3LYP functional.     

Novel organic dyes containing bis-dimethylfluorenyl amino benzo[b]thiophene for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell

Novel organic dyes, JK-16 and JK-17 containing bis-dimethylfluorenyl amino benzo[b]thiophene are designed and synthesized. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar condition, the JK-16 sensitized cell gave a short circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 15.33 mA cm⁻², open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.74 V, and a fill factor of 0.66, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency η of 7.43%, and the JK-17 sensitized cell gave a J_sc of 12.66 mA cm⁻², V_oc of 0.67 V, and a fill factor of 0.65, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency η of 5.49%.     

Y-shaped dyes based on triphenylamine for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Three new triphenylamine-based dyes with Y-shaped conformation bearing triphenylamino-vinyl, 10-octyl-10H-phenothiazine-vinyl and 9-octyl-9H-carbazole-vinyl as arms (TT, TP, and TC) have been synthesized. From electrochemical investigations it is found that they can be employed in DSSCs due to the balanced HOMO and LUMO energy levels. Notably, the photo-to-electrical conversion efficiency of the DSSCs sensitized with branched TT, TP, and TC reach 5.12%, 4.84%, and 3.63%, which are higher than that sensitized with T (2.79%), and the DSSC sensitized with TT shows higher IPCE response and better photovoltaic performances (J_sc=12.37 mA/cm², V_oc=0.72 V and ff=0.58) than others. These results reveal that the introduction of branched Y-shaped extended π-conjugated donors to D-π-A dyes cannot only enlarge the spectral response range, but also suppress the molecular aggregation on TiO₂ films to a certain extent, which would enhance the performance of DSSCs.     

Dyes for sensitized solar cells by using [2.2]paracyclophane as a bridging unit

Organic dyes that consist of a [2.2]paracyclophane moiety between a triphenylamine donor group and a cyanoacrylic acid acceptor group have exhibited considerably high values of open-circuit voltage (V_oc) in the range of 0.69–0.74 V. In an experiment that involved using an ion liquid electrolyte (E2 electrolyte), the values of V_oc were increased to 0.03–0.04 V because of a decrease in the concentration of LiI. A typical device demonstrated a maximal incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 60% in the region of 350–475 nm, a short-circuit photo current density (J_sc) of 8.80 mA cm⁻², an open-circuit photovoltage (V_oc) of 0.74 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.65, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 4.24% of CPG2b. The photophysical properties were analyzed using a time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) model with the M062X functional.     

All-vanadium redox photoelectrochemical cell: An approach to store solar energy

A highly-efficient all-vanadium photoelectrochemical storage cell has been demonstrated in this work. This storage cell takes advantage of fast electrochemical kinetics of vanadium redox couples of VO₂⁺/VO^2 + and V^3 +/V^2 +, and appears as a promising alternative to photoproduction of hydrogen from water. Continuous photocharging for 25 h revealed a VO^2 + conversion rate of 0.0042 μmol/h and Faradaic efficiency of 95% without external voltage bias. The incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) at 350 nm light was calculated to be ~ 12%.     

Molecular engineering of organic dyes containing N-aryl carbazole moiety for solar cell

Organic dyes containing N-aryl carbazole moiety are designed and synthesized. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar condition, the JK-25 sensitized cell gave a short circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 11.50 mA cm⁻², an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.68 V, a fill factor of 0.66, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency η of 5.15%, and the maximum incident monochromatic photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 77% at 430 nm.     

Synthesis of sensitizers containing donor cascade of triarylamine and dimethylarylamine moieties for dye-sensitized solar cells

Four triarylamine derivatives (XS6-9) containing N,N-dimethylaryl amine units as secondary electron-donating groups are designed and synthesized. These dyes were applied into nanocrystalline TiO₂ dye-sensitized solar cells through standard operations. For a typical device the maximal monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) can reach 93%, with a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) 10.8 mA cm⁻², an open-circuit photovoltage (V_oc) 690 mV, and fill factor (FF) 0.61, which corresponds to an overall conversion efficiency of 4.54%.     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical properties of a compact titanium dioxide layer

In this paper, we report on the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of a compact titanium dioxide layer as well as its application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The compact TiO₂ layer, which was prepared via a facile approach by the hydrolysis of TiCl₄ aqueous solution, has been characterized by XRD, SEM, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experimental results show that the compact TiO₂ layer with the thickness of about 100 nm is composed of anatase-phase nanoparticles with the particle size of 10–15 nm. Impedance measurements display that the compact layer of TiO₂ can prevent the back reaction of electrons with tri-iodide ions under low applied potentials, increase the open circuit voltage (V_oc) and fill factor (FF), and finally improve the conversion efficiency (η) for the DSCs from 7.5 to 8.1%.     

Structural and optical properties of tripod-like ZnO thin film and its application in dye-sensitized solar cell

In this work, we have synthesized Zinc oxide (ZnO) tripods and used its thin film as photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells. SEM micrographs of the as-prepared sample of ZnO confirmed tripod-like morphology consisting of three cylindrical arms with well-defined ends, joined at a common core. The prepared sample of ZnO tripods was further characterized by EDX, XRD, UV-VIS, and FTIR. The dye N719-sensitized solar cell fabricated with photoanode of ZnO prepared in this work provided the open-circuit photo voltage (V _oc)?=?0.558 V, short-circuit photocurrent (J _sc)?=?6.368 mA?cm^-2, fill factor (FF)?=?0.50, and total conversion efficiency (η)?=?0.88 % under full light illumination (intensity 200 mW?cm^?2). When cell was illuminated by visible light (150 mW/cm²), V _oc?=?0.546 V, J _sc?=?4.437 mA/cm², FF?=?0.54, and η?=?0.88 % were obtained.     

Magnetic properties of hybrid organo-inorganic copper(II) oxovanadate(V) phosphate and phosphonate bridged systems

The hybrid organo-inorganic compounds [Cu₄(bipy)₄V₄O₁₁(PO₄)₂]nH₂O (n ∼ 5) (1), [Cu₂(phen)₂(PO₄)(H₂PO₄)₂(VO₂) · 2H₂O] (2) and [Cu₂(phen)₂(O₃PCH₂PO₃)(V₂O₅) (H₂O)]H₂O (3) which present different bridging forms of the phosphate/phosphonate group, show different bulk magnetic properties. We herein analyze the magnetic behaviour of these compounds in terms of their structural parameters. We also report a theoretical study for compound (1) assuming four different magnetic exchange pathways between the copper centres present in the tetranuclear unit. For compound (1) the following J values were obtained J₁ = +3.29; J₂ = −0.63; J₃ = −2.23; J₄ = −46.14 cm⁻¹. Compound (2) presents a Curie–Weiss behaviour in the whole range of temperature (3–300 K), and compound (3) shows a maximum for the magnetic susceptibility at 64 K, typical for antiferromagnetic interactions. These data where fitted using a model previously reported in the literature, assuming two different magnetic exchange pathways between the four copper(II) centres, with J₁ = −30.0 and J₂ = −8.5 cm⁻¹.     

Efficient passivation of SnO2 nano crystallites by Indoline D-149 via dual chelation

For the first time in SnO₂ based dye solar cells, here we report, efficiency exceeding 3% of the cells consisting with Indoline D-149 dye with unmodified SnO₂ nano-crystallites. The cells sensitized with metal free D-149 dye together with liquid electrolyte comprising with 0.5 M tetrapropyl ammonium iodide and 0.05 M iodine in a mixture of acetonitrile and ethylene carbonate (1:4 by volume) delivered a short circuit current density of 10.4 mA cm^?2 with an open circuit voltage of 530 mV under the illumination of 100 mW cm^?2 (AM1.5) having an efficiency of 3.1%. As evident from the FTIR measurement, strong surface passivation of recombination centers of SnO₂ crystallites due to the dual mode of attachment of dye molecules to the surface of SnO₂ via both COOH and S–O direct bond might be the possible reason for this enhancement in these SnO₂ based cells.     

Novel organic sensitizers containing a bulky spirobifluorene unit for solar cell

Three organic sensitizers JK-87, JK-88, and JK-89 containing a bulky spirobifluorene unit in the bridged group are designed and synthesized. Under standard global A.M. 1.5 solar condition, the JK-89 sensitized cell gave a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 13.02 mA cm⁻², an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.75 V, and a fill factor of 0.70, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency η of 6.83%. The η of JK-89 is higher than those of other two cells due to the larger J_sc. The improved J_sc value is mainly attributed to the broad and red-shifted absorption band.     

Metal-free organic dyes with benzothiadiazole as an internal acceptor for dye-sensitized solar cells

We synthesized three metal-free organic dyes (H11–H13) consisting of a 3,6-disubstituted carbazole, benzothiadiazole, and cyanoacrylic acid. All the dyes exhibited high molar extinction coefficients and suitable energy levels for electron transfer from the electrolyte to the TiO₂ nanoparticles. Under standard AM 1.5G solar irradiation, the device using dye H13 with co-adsorbed chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) displayed the best performance: an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.71 V, a short-circuit current density (J_sc) of 12.69 mA cm⁻², a fill factor (FF) of 0.71, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.32%. The PCE was ∼79% of that for commercially available N719 cells (8.02%) under the same conditions.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of novel organic sensitizers containing indolo[1,2-f]phenanthridine for solar cell

Organic dyes containing indolo[1,2-f]phenanthridine unit are a promising new class of sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells, as a result of their broad and intense visible absorptions. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar condition, the JK-61 sensitized cell gave a short circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 15.81 mA cm⁻², an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.73 V, a fill factor of 0.72, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 8.34%.