A dendritic oligothiophene ruthenium sensitizer for stable dye-sensitized solar cells.
We report a new type of dendritic terthiophene attached to a 2,2'-bipyridine ligand for ruthenium-based dye-sensitized solar cells. As a result of the incorporation of this electron-rich terthiophene donor unit into the heteroleptic ruthenium sensitizer [Ru(dcbpy)(3Tbpy)(NCS)(2)] (3T), the lowest-energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition is red-shifted and the molar extinction coefficient is increased compared to the analogous standard Z907Na sensitizer. A preliminary investigation of the 3T dye in combination with an iodine/iodide-based electrolyte shows an interesting photovoltaic performance, with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.4 % measured under air mass 1.5 global sunlight irradiation. Accelerated testing of these devices at 60 degrees C under full sunlight soaking shows a remarkable stability over 1000 h.
Sauvage
Frédéric
F
Institut des Sciences et Ingénieurie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland.
Fischer
Markus K R
MK
Mishra
Amaresh
A
Zakeeruddin
Shaik M
SM
Nazeeruddin
Mohammad K
MK
Bäuerle
Peter
P
Grätzel
Michael
M
D000042:Absorption; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D004583:Electrons; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012993:Solar Energy; D013997:Time Factors; D014835:Volatilization
D004396:Coloring Agents; D050091:Dendrimers; D004573:Electrolytes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C546226:dithiocyanato(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)(4,4'-di(2,2'-3,2''-terthien-5-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)