Ru(ii) sensitizers with a tridentate heterocyclic cyclometalate for dye-sensitized solar cells

A new series of bis-tridentate, thiocyanate-free Ru(ii) complexes (TF-21-TF-24), containing the 2-azolyl-6-phenylpyridine cyclometalate, were synthesized. Upon switching from a pyrazolyl to a more electron deficient triazolyl moiety, the oxidation potentials were fine-tuned to readily accept electro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy & environmental science 2012, Vol.5 (6), p.7549-7554
Main Authors: Hsu, Chien-Wei, Ho, Shu-Te, Wu, Kuan-Lin, Chi, Yun, Liu, Shih-Hung, Chou, Pi-Tai
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A new series of bis-tridentate, thiocyanate-free Ru(ii) complexes (TF-21-TF-24), containing the 2-azolyl-6-phenylpyridine cyclometalate, were synthesized. Upon switching from a pyrazolyl to a more electron deficient triazolyl moiety, the oxidation potentials were fine-tuned to readily accept electrons from the I super(-)/I sub(3) super(-) redox couple, so that the dye regeneration proceeds efficiently amid the device operation. This, together with high concentrations of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide in the electrolyte which accelerates dye regeneration, attains a short-circuit photocurrent density as high as 18.09 mA cm super(-2) and an overall efficiency of 9.04%. The trifling decrease (3-6%) in efficiency after 1000 h of illumination at 60 degree C manifests the high device stability, due to the much suppressed solvent volatility in combination with the robust bis-tridentate structure involved in cyclometalating the 2-azolyl-6-phenylpyridine ancillary.
ISSN:1754-5692
1754-5706
DOI:10.1039/c2ee21091f