Design and synthesis of organic sensitizers with enhanced anchoring stability in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

D-π-A dyes have received a special attention in the field of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this kind of molecules, the acceptor group (A) generally acts as an anchor, enabling the adsorption of the dye onto the metal oxide substrate (TiO 2 ) and providing a good electron injection. The search for new anchors represents a critical factor for the development of improved DSSCs and in recent years has been a very active research field. This mini-review focuses especially on our work on pyridine-derived anchoring groups for D-π-A dyes, with a special regard on the preparation and characterization of three different families of dyes and a critical evaluation of their stability and efficiency.

Synthesis of D–A–A and D–A–D Pyrimidine π-Systems Using Triorganoindium Reagents: Optical, Vibrational, and Electrochemical Studies

“…As shown in Figure , the presence of different groups at the C-2 position of the pyrimidine ring causes the potential windows to vary in shape and further to changing the values of the half-wave oxidation potentials and therefore the value of HOMO and LUMO energy levels. This suggests that the oxidized states of these compounds are stable, which is required for a good long-term stability of DSSCs. , …”

Metal-Free Counter Electrodes for DSSCs Based on Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Materials

“…The low bandgap and the strong electron-withdrawing auxiliary unit of these systems provide favorable properties in the areas of light-harvesting and efficiency for designing efficient and stable organic sensitizers [5,6]. Thus, extensive studies have been conducted to optimize the design of D, π-spacer, and A [7][8][9] components. Regarding donors, N,N'-dialkylanilines are interesting due to their intense light absorption, with a red-shifted intramolecular charge transfer band compared to triphenylamines derivatives [10]; π-spacers containing heterocycles, such as thiophenes, are shown to stabilize the sensitizers [11]; and finally, groups such as pyrimidine, with electron withdrawing properties but also acting as an anchoring group, have recently been explored [12].…”

A quantum chemical study: thoughtful exploration for optimal donors in Y-type dual donor-based dye sensitizers

“…19,36 Such modifications showed an effective change in the efficiency of several metal-free dye sensitizers as revealed by us as well as different researchers over the ages based on the considerable changes of donors, 26,27,[37][38][39][40][41] spacers [42][43][44][45][46][47] and acceptors. [48][49][50][51][52][53][54] To further increase the efficiency, researchers have been working on the effect of the dual nature of the different components. The additional spacer effect on the dye sensitizer showed an effective change in the efficiency for n-type 20 and p-type 55 dye sensitizers, as shown by our group in recent years.…”