Photovoltaic performance of ruthenium complex dye associated with number and position of carboxyl groups on bipyridine ligands

A series of ruthenium complex dyes with different number and position of carboxyl groups on bipyridine ligands, such as Ru(4-carboxyl-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine)(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′- bipyridine)(NCS)₂ (denoted as Ru1A), Ru(4-carboxyl-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine)₂(NCS)₂ (Ru11A), Ru(4,4′-dicarboxyl-2,2′-bipyridine)(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)(NCS)₂ (Ru2A), and Ru(4-carboxyl-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine)(4,4′-dicarboxyl-2,2′-bipyridine)(NCS)₂ (Ru3A) were synthesized and compared with Ru(4,4′-dicarboxyl-2,2′-bipyridine)₂ (NCS)₂, commonly known as N3 dye for the adsorption behavior on the TiO₂ surface and photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells. The experimental results show that the tilt angle of ruthenium dyes on the TiO₂ surface which is dependent on the number and position of their carboxyl groups strongly affected the photovoltaic performance.     

Influence of donor moiety in ruthenium sensitizers on the properties of dye-sensitized solar cells

Heteroleptic ruthenium complexes cis-[Ru(H2dcbpy)(L)(NCS)2], where H2dcbpy is 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid-2,2'-bipyridine and L is 4-(4-(N,N-di-(p-hexyloxyphenyl)-amino)styryl)-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Rut-A) or 4-(4'-(3,6-dihexyloxycarbazole-9-yl)-styryl)-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Rut-B), have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammogram. The effect of different electron donors on the properties of dye-sensitized solar cells has been studied. The power conversion efficiency of DSSC based on Rut-B is 6.1% while Rut-A delivered a lower efficiency of 4.52% under the same device fabrication and measuring conditions. The better photovoltaic performance of Rut-B is mainly associated with enhanced dye absorptivity and charge recombination suppression.     

Spectroelectrochemical sensing based on multimode selectivity simultaneously achievable in a single device. 2. Demonstration of selectivity in the presence of direct interferences

Three modes of selectivity based on charge-selective partitioning, electrolysis potential, and spectral absorption wavelength were demonstrated simultaneously in a new type of spectroelectrochemical sensor. Operation and performance of the three modes of selectivity for detection of analytes in the presence of direct interferences were investigated using binary mixture systems. These binary mixtures consisted of Fe(CN)(6)(3-) and Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and of Fe(CN)(6)(4-) and Ru(CN)(6)(4)(-) in aqueous solutions. Results on the Fe(CN)(6)(3-)/Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) binary mixture showed that an anion-exchange coating consisting of PDMDAAC-SiO(2) [where PDMDAAC is poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride)] and a cation-exchange coating consisting of Nafion-SiO(2) can trap and preconcentrate analytes with charge selection. At the same time, such coatings exclude interferences carrying the same type of charge as that of the exchange sites in the sensor coating. Using the Fe(CN)(6)(4-)/Ru(CN)(6)(4-) binary mixture, the Fe(CN)(6)(4-) component can be selectively detected by restricting the modulation potential cycled to a range specific to the redox-active Fe(CN)(6)(4-) component and simultaneously monitoring the optical response at the overlapping wavelength of 420 nm. It was also shown that, when the wavelength for optical monitoring was chosen as 500 nm, which is specific to the Ru(CN)(6)(4-) component, interference from the Fe(CN)(6)(4-) component for spectroelectrochemical detection of Ru(CN)(6)(4-) was significantly suppressed, even though the cyclic modulation potential encompassed the redox range for the Fe(CN)(6)(4-) component.     

A stable quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with an amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizer and polymer gel electrolyte

Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells (DSC) have received considerable attention as a cost-effective alternative to conventional solar cells. One of the main factors that has hampered widespread practical use of DSC is the poor thermostability encountered so far with these devices. Here we show a DSC with unprecedented stable performance under both thermal stress and soaking with light, matching the durability criteria applied to silicon solar cells for outdoor applications. The cell uses the amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizer cis-RuLL'(SCN)(2) (L = 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid-2,2'-bipyridine, L' = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridine) in conjunction with a quasi-solid-state polymer gel electrolyte, reaching an efficiency of >6% in full sunlight (air mass 1.5, 100 mW cm(-2)). A convenient and versatile new route is reported for the synthesis of the heteroleptic ruthenium complex, which plays a key role in achieving the high-temperature stability. Ultramicroelectrode voltammetric measurements show that the triiodide/iodide couple can perform charge transport freely in the polymer gel. The cell sustained heating for 1,000 h at 80 degrees C, maintaining 94% of its initial performance. The device also showed excellent stability under light soaking at 55 degrees C for 1,000 h in a solar simulator (100 mW cm(-2)) equipped with a ultraviolet filter. The present findings should foster widespread practical application of dye-sensitized solar cells.     

The effect of substrate temperature on the spray-deposited TiO2 nanostructured films for dye-sensitized solar cells

The nanostructured TiO2 films have deposited on SnO2:F (FTO) coated glass substrate by spray pyrolysis technique at different substrate temperatures of 200-500 degrees C. The structural, surface morphological and optical properties of TiO2 films significantly vary with the substrate temperature. The surface of the TiO2 films deposited at 400 degrees C shows the nanoflakes and short nanorods (approximately 130 nm) like structures while the TiO2 films prepared at 500 degrees C shows only the nanoflakes like structures. The band gap of the TiO2 films prepared at higher temperatures (300-500 degrees C) becomes narrow due to presence the rutile phases in their crystal structure. Ruthenium (II) complex as a dye, KI/I2 as an electrolyte and carbon on FTO glass as a counter electrode has used to fabricate the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). The TiO2 film deposited at 400 degrees C has showed the best photovoltaic performance in DSC with the efficiency of 3.81%, the photovoltage of 773 mV, the photocurrent of 8.34 mA/cm2, and the fill factor of 56.17%. The photovoltage of the DSC increases with the increase of substrate temperature during the deposition of TiO2 films. Moreover, all the DSCs exhibit reasonably high fill factor value.     

New two- and three-dimensional [Cd(CN)2]n frameworks formed with cadmium cyanide and 2,2'–bipyridine and 4,4'–bipyridine

The two cadmium cyanide complexes Cd(CN)₂ (4,4'–bipy)_0.5 (1) and [Cd(2,2'–bipy)(CN)₂]₃·H₂O (2) show infinite 3D and 2D [Cd(CN)₂]_n framework structures, respectively. The cadmium cyanide framework in 1 is topologically the same as the cristobalite-like [Cd(CN)₂]_n framework but is severely distorted. A 4,4'–bipyridine molecule is trapped in each ‘supercage’ which is formed from two adjacent adamantane-like cadmium cyanide cages. In 2, the bidentate 2,2'–bipyridine ligands are coordinated to cadmium centers to prevent expansion of the 2D cadmium cyanide framework into a 3D framework.     

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile)-based polymeric electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile) P(GMA-AN) copolymer was synthesized and used as a polymer electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). P(GMA-AN)-based polymer electrolyte is obtained by adding 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (PMII) as a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI), iodide (I2) as the source of redox couple (I3(-)/I(-)) in order to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) by addition of optimized plasticizer contents such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) in an acetonitrile solvent. These polymer electrolyte results revealed that more stable photovoltaic performance such as PCE of 4.97% with enhanced short-circuit current density (J(SC), 10.42 mA/cm2) and open circuit voltage (V(OC), 0.75 V) and fill factor (FF) of 0.63 under standard light intensity of 100 mW/cm2, irradiation of AM 1.5 sunlight. It is expected that these polymer electrolyte is an attractive alternative to liquid electrolytes for the fabrication of the long term stable DSSCs.     

Diffusion boundary layer of a rotating disk electrode as a thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell

A UV-visible rapid scan spectrophotometer (RSS) was coupled to a Au rotating disk electrode (RDE) for monitoring at near-normal incidence the reflection-absorption spectrum of the diffusion boundary layer in [Fe(CN)(6)](4)(-) aqueous solutions over a potential region in which [Fe(CN)(6)](4-) oxidizes, generating highly absorbing [Fe(CN)(6)](3-) (lambda(max) = 420 nm). Measurements were performed under steady-state conditions at rotation rates, omega, in the range 300 相似文献   

Synthesis and properties of the diruthenium(II) complexes with diimine-linked polypyridine bridges

The diruthenium complexes, [(bpy)2Ru(II)-(bpy-DPDA)-Ru(II)(bpy)2][PF6]4 3, (bpy: 2,2'-bipyridiyl; bpy-DPDA: Bis(2,2'-dipyridylketenylidene)-N,N-1,4-phenylenediamine}, and [(bpy)2Ru(II)-(Dbpy-DPDA)-Ru(II)(bpy)2][PF6]4 4 {Dbpy-DPDA: Bis(2,2'-dipyridyl ketenylidene)-N,N-1,1'-(4,4'-diphenylene)diamine}, were prepared by the reaction of (bpy)2Ru(II)Cl2 with diimine-linked polypyridine bridges. These complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, UV/VIS, PL and cyclic voltammetry. In the 13C-NMR spectra of 3 and 4, the carbon peaks of the Schiff Bases (>C=N-) were shifted to lower fields, and emissions were observed at 689 and 693 nm with quantum yields of 0.004 and 0.006, respectively. The electrochemistry of complexes 3 and 4 showed four-reversible waves (one oxidation wave and three reduction waves). The electrochemically measured band gaps for complexes 3 and 4 were 2.01 and 2.10 eV, respectively.     

Redox mediation and photomechanical oscillations involving photosensitive cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes, glucose oxidase, and peroxidase

Intact photosensitive cyclometalated RuII derivatives of 2-phenylpyridine or N,N-dimethylbenzylamine cis-[Ru-(C approximately N)(LL)X2]PF6 [C approximately N = o-C6H4-py or o-C6H4CH2NMe2; LL = 1,10-phenanththroline (phen), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), or 4,4'-Me2-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2bpy); X = MeCN or pyridine (py)] are efficient mediators of glucose oxidase (GO) from Aspergillus niger and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Their redox potentials in an aqueous buffer are in the range 0.15-0.35 V versus SCE, and the rate constants for the oxidation GO(red) (where red indicates reduced) by the electrochemically generated RuIII species equal (1.7-2.5) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7 and 25 degrees C. The redox potentials of all complexes decrease cathodically by 0.4-0.6 V upon irradiation by visible light because of the photoinduced solvolysis of acetonitrile or py ligands. These in situ generated species display an even better mediating performance with HRP, although their behavior toward GO is different. The loading of a ruthenium unit into the protein interior brings about large catalytic currents in a self-assembled system GO-Ru-D-glucose. The estimated rate constant for intramolecular electron transfer from FADH2 of the active site at RuIII, k(intra), equals 4.4 x 10(3) s(-1). This suggests that the distance between the redox partners is around 19 A. The value of 21 A was obtained through the docking analysis of a possible closest-to-FAD localization of a Ru-containing fragment derived from the irradiated complex cis-[Ru(o-C6H4-py)-(phen)(MeCN)2]PF6. The operational stability of the GO-Ru assemblies depends on the nature of complex used, the highest being observed for cis-[Ru(o-C6H4-py)(Me2-bpy)(MeCN)2]PF6 (2). UV-vis studies of interaction of 2 with GO revealed photomechanical oscillations in the system GO-Ru-D-glucose. When irradiated complex 2 is mixed with GO and D-glucose, the absorbance at 510 nm increases because of the enzymatic reduction of RuIII to RuII. The absorbance drops rapidly and then increases as in the first cycle after shaking the reaction solution. Many cycles are possible, and the rate of absorbance increase does not depend on a cycle number. A plausible mechanism of the oscillations is presented.     

Equilibrium and kinetic behavior of Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) and cytochrome c in direct electrochemistry using a film electrode thin-layer transmission cell

We report on the design and performance of a thin-layer electrochemical cell optimized for use with optically transparent film electrodes in combination with UV/vis and IR transmission spectroscopic measurements. The cell allows for measurements under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The direct, unmediated electron transfer, as assessed by the current transient, and the corresponding optical response observed for the Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) couple were in good agreement with theoretical predictions for voltammetry and optical absorption by an analyte confined in a thin layer. Chronoamperometric and spectroscopic measurements of Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) on gold mesh electrode revealed fast kinetics strongly influenced by the electrolyte concentration. Maximal apparent rates exceeding 2 s(-1) in 1 M KCl were observed optically. The direct kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of cytochrome c was compared with several electrode materials using the cell. The results showed heme ligand-dependent changes in the protein-electrode interactions. Mid-UV/visible spectral changes upon redox transitions in native cytochrome c and its cyanide derivative, as well as dissociation of the ferrous cytochrome c-CN complex, are reported.     

Electrochemical performance of diamond thin-film electrodes from different commercial sources

The electrochemical properties of two commercial (Condias, Sumitomo) boron-doped diamond thin-film electrodes were compared with those of two types of boron-doped diamond thin film deposited in our laboratory (microcrystalline, nanocrystalline). Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the electrode morphology and microstructure, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical response, with five different redox systems serving as probes (Fe(CN)(6)(3)(-)(/4)(-), Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+/)(2+), IrCl(6)(2)(-)(/3)(-), 4-methylcatechol, Fe(3+/2+)). The response for the different systems was quite reproducibile from electrode type to type and from film to film for electrodes of the same type. For all five redox systems, the forward reaction peak current varied linearly with the scan rate(1/2) (nu), indicative of electrode reaction kinetics controlled by mass transport (semi-infinite linear diffusion) of the reactant. Apparent heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants, k degrees (app), for all five redox systems were determined from deltaE(p)-nu experimental data, according to the method described by Nicholson (Nicholson, R. S. Anal. Chem. 1965, 37, 1351.). The rate constants were also verified through digital simulation (DigiSim 3.03) of the voltammetric i-E curves at different scan rates. Good fits between the experimental and simulated voltammograms were found for scan rates up to 50 V/s. k degrees (app) values of 0.05-0.5 cm/s were observed for Fe(CN)(6)(3)(-)(/4)(-), Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+/2+), and IrCl(6)(2)(-)(/3)(-) without any extensive electrode pretreatment (e.g., polishing). Lower k degrees (app) values of 10(-)(4)-10(-)(6) cm/s were found for 4-methylcatechol and Fe(3+/2+). The voltammetric responses for Fe(CN)(6)(3)(-)(/4)(-) and Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+/2+) were also examined at all four electrode types at two different solution pH (1.90, 7.35). Since the hydrogen-terminated diamond surfaces contain few, if any, ionizable carbon-oxygen functionalities (e.g., carboxylic acid, pK(a) approximately 4.5), the deltaE(p), i(p)(ox), and i(p)(red) values for the two systems were, for the most part, unaffected by the solution pH. This is in contrast to the typical behavior of oxygenated, sp(2) carbon electrodes, such as glassy carbon.     

Quantum chemical, ballistic and explosivity calculations on 2,4,6,8-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraaza cyclooctatetraene: a new high energy molecule

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on 2,4,6,8-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctatetraene, the tetramer of the series (NO(2)CN)(n) where n=1-4, using the Hartree-Fock theory with the 6-31 G(d) basis set. These calculations yield three conformers for the tetramer with D(4h), C(4h) and C(2) symmetries. The nonplanar conformer with the C(2) symmetry turns out to be 99.0 and 164.4kJmol(-1), respectively, lower in energy than the C(4h) and D(4h) conformers. The electron density topography - the density at the bond critical point - has been used as a measure of the CNO(2) strengths. Based on these bond strengths, heats of formation [obtained from the parametric model 3 (PM3) method] and specific decomposition energies, it may be concluded that (NO(2)CN)(4) is a promising candidate in the class of high energy molecules. Theoretically computed explosive (velocity of detonation, detonation pressure, etc.) and ballistic (characteristic velocity, specific impulse, etc.) parameters support these conclusions.     

Ion coordinating sensitizer for high efficiency mesoscopic dye-sensitized solar cells: influence of lithium ions on the photovoltaic performance of liquid and solid-state cells

A Li+ coordinating sensitizer, NaRu(4-carboxylic acid-4'-carboxylate)(4,4'-bis[(triethylene glycol methyl ether) methyl ether]-2,2'-bipyridine)(NCS)2 (coded as K51), has been synthesized, and the effect of Li+ coordination on its performance in mesoscopic titanium dioxide dye-sensitized solar cells has been investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectra suggest that Li+ coordinates to the triethylene oxide methyl ether side chains on the dye molecules. With the addition of Li+ to a nonvolatile liquid electrolyte, we observe a significant increase in the photocurrent density, with only a small decrease in the open-circuit voltage, contrary to a non ion coordinating dye which displays a large drop in potential with the addition of Li+. For a solar cell incorporating an organic hole-transporter, we find the potential rises with increasing the Li+ concentration in the hole-transporter matrix. For the liquid electrolyte and solid-state cells, we obtain power conversion efficiencies of 7.8% and 3.8%, respectively, under simulated sunlight.     

Optically transparent diamond electrode for use in ir transmission spectroelectrochemical measurements

A new analytical spectroelectrochemical methodology is reported on that utilizes an optically transparent boron-doped diamond thin film. The film was deposited on undoped Si by microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition using a 4-h growth with a 0.5% CH4/H2 source gas mixture and 2 ppm B2H6 added for boron doping. The thin-film electrode possessed a transparency of 40-60% in the mid- and far-IR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The physical, electrical, optical, and electrochemical properties of the electrode were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, four-point probe electrical resistance measurements, IR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The film's electrochemical behavior was evaluated using both aqueous (Fe(CN)(6)3-/4-, methyl viologen, Ru(NH3)(6)3+/2+, and IrCl(6)2-/3-) and nonaqueous (ferrocene) redox systems. The film exhibited a low and stable background current and a nearly reversible voltammetric response for all these redox systems. The diamond/Si optically transparent electrode (OTE) and a thin-layer transmission cell were used to record the spectroelectrochemical response for 10 mM Fe(CN)(6)3-/4- in 1 M KCl. Difference IR spectra (oxidized minus reduced), recorded at various applied potentials, showed that the CN vibrational mode at 2039 cm-1 for Fe(CN)(6)4- reversibly shifted to 2116 cm-1 upon oxidation to Fe(CN)(6)3-, as expected. Difference IR spectra (oxidized minus reduced) were also recorded for 20 mM ferrocene in 0.1 M TBABF4/CH3CN. A shift of the C-H bending mode of the cyclopentadienyl ring from 823 to 857 cm-1 occurred upon oxidation of ferrocene to ferricenium. The key finding from the work is that the diamond OTE provides sensitive, reproducible, and stable spectroelectrochemical responses for aqueous and nonaqueous redox systems in the mid- and far-IR.     

Achievement of near-reversible behavior for the

Voltammetric studies in the absence of added supporting electrolyte are presently dominated by the use of near-steady-state microelectrode techniques and millimolar or lower depolarizer concentrations. However, with this methodology, large departures from conventional migration-diffusion theory have been reported for the [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-) process at both carbon fiber and platinum microdisk electrodes. In contrast, data obtained in the present study reveal that use of the transient cyclic voltammetric technique at glassy carbon, gold, or platinum macrodisk electrodes and K4[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Fe(CN)6] concentrations of 50 mM or greater provides an approximately reversible response in the absence of added electrolyte. It is suggested that the use of very high [Fe(CN)6](3-) and [Fe(CN)6](4-) concentrations overcomes problems associated with a diffuse double layer and that large electrode surface areas and faster potential sweep rates minimize electrode blockage and passivating phenomena that can plague voltammetric studies at microelectrodes. The cyclic voltammetry of the [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-) couple at a range of concentrations at macroelectrodes in the absence of added inert electrolyte is compared with that obtained in the presence of 1 M KCl. The enhanced influences of uncompensated resistance, migration, and natural convection arising from density gradients under transient conditions at macrodisk electrodes also are considered.     

A study on electric conductivity of phosphoric acid supported on nano-pore rice husk silica in H2/Pt/H3PO4 / RHS/Pt/O2 fuel cells

PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell) is widely considered as an energy conversion system from the chemical energy of hydrogen to electric energy. But, hydrogen fuel obtained from hydrocarbons has trace amount of carbon monoxide which is a potential poison for platinum electrode at the cell operating temperature approximately 100 degrees C and it becomes a huddle for the general usage of PEMFC. On the other hand PAFC (Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell) operates at a higher temperature and the platinum electrode oxidizes carbon monoxide poison while there is a leakage problem of the liquid phase. To combine the advantages of two fuel cells, the electrolyte systems of phosphoric acid supported silica on ceramics are recently being tested. In this study, we investigated the nm pore rice husk silica as a support for phosphoric acid and tested the electric conductivity of the silica plate and the characteristics of a prototype fuel cell H2/Pt/H3PO4 / RHS/Pt/O2 at 100-200 degrees C. The conductivity of H3PO4/RHS was 8 mS cm(-1) above 175 degrees C under 200 torr H2O. In the fuel cell, the apparent conductance of the electrolyte from I-V characteristics was 2.45 mS/cm at 160 degrees C under 1 atm H2 and air at present.     

Infinite-dilution diffusion coefficients of complex ions from solution conductivity data

A technique is presented for determining infinite-dilution diffusion coefficients of complex ions from solution conductivity data. The method involves measuring the conductivities of dilute solutions in which the distribution of complex ions is systematically varied and statistically regressing the data to an equation that effectively relates individual ion diffusion coefficients to solution conductivity. The procedure is simple and requires no specialized equipment to perform. Unlike methods that require a concentration gradient, the solution composition is homogeneous and at equilibrium during measurements, which is a significant advantage when labile complexes are being studied. In this paper, diffusion coefficients of cuprous cyanide complexes are determined. Statistical analysis yields the infinite-dilution diffusion coefficients of Cu(CN)(2)(-), Cu(CN)(3)(2-), and Cu(CN)(4)(3-) at 25 °C as 1.43 × 10(-5) ± 9%, 1.08 × 10(-5) ± 9%, and 6.21 × 10(-6) ± 22% cm(2)/s, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of new dithienosilole-based copolymers for polymer solar cells

A series of dithienosilole-based copolymers, poly [(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-5,5'-diyl] (P1), poly[(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,2'-bithiazole)-5,5'-diyl] (P2), poly[(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2, 6-diyl-alt-(10 -methyl-phenothiazine)-3,7-diyl](P3), poly[(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(4,7-bis(2-thienyl)-9,10-anthracene)-5,5'-diyl] (P4) were synthesized by the Pd-catalyzed Stille polymerization method. Electron-deficient benzothiadiazole and bithiazole units and electron-rich phenothiazine and anthracene moieties were incorporated into the polymer backbone to obtain the broad absorption spectrum and to improve the hole-transporting characteristics, respectively. The polymer solar cell (PSC) was fabricated with a layered structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:C71-PCBM (1:3)/LiF/Al. The best performance of PSC was obtained at P3:C71-PCBM which reaches a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.18%, with a short circuit current density (J(sc)) of 4.75 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 0.71 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.35 under AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW/cm2).     

Efficient and Stable Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a High‐Molar‐Extinction‐Coefficient Sensitizer

The high‐molar‐extinction‐coefficient heteroleptic ruthenium dye, cis‐Ru (4,4′‐bis(5‐octylthieno[3,2‐b] thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine) (4,4′‐dicarboxyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) (NCS)₂, exhibits an AM 1.5 solar (100 mW cm^?2)‐to‐electric power‐conversion efficiency of 4.6% in a solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cell (SSDSC) with 2,2′, 7,7′‐tetrakis‐(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐MeOTAD) as the organic hole‐transporting material. These SSDSC devices exhibit good durability during accelerated tests under visible‐light soaking for 1000 h at 60 °C. This demonstration elucidates a class of photovoltaic devices with potential for stable and low‐cost power generation. The electron recombination dynamics and charge collection that take place at the dye‐sensitized heterojunction are studied by means of impedance and transient photovoltage decay techniques.