PES Studies of Ru(dcbpyH₂)₂(NCS)₂ Adsorption on Nanostructured ZnO for Solar Cell Applications

Abstract

The interaction between the dye cis-bis(4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine)-bis(isothiocyanato)-ruthenium(II), Ru(dcbpyH 2 ) 2 (NCS) 2 , and nanostructured ZnO was investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) using synchrotron radiation. The results are compared with those of nanostructured TiO 2 sensitized with the same dye, which to date is the most efficient system for dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells. When comparing the two metal oxides, differences in the surface molecular structure were observed both for low and high dye coverages, as seen by comparing the oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur signals. The origin of these differences is discussed in terms of substrate-induced dye aggregation and in variations in surface bonding geometries. The measurements also provide information concerning the energy matching between the orbitals of the dye and the ZnO valence band, which is of importance in photoinduced charge transfer.

ZnO Nanostructures for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…[172] They found that such a complex layer could always be observed if the immersion time was longer than 3 h. Below an immersion time of 10 min, no complex was formed. Westermark et al [173] and Chou et al [174] verified that a short sensitization time may be favorable to avoid the formation of Zn 2þ /dye complex. However, the formation of the Zn considerable difference in the optimization of the sensitization time.…”

Size- and Shape-Control of Crystalline Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A New Organometallic Synthetic Method

“…For example, thin films of ZnO have been reported to display good conductivity and high transparency in the visible region, and have been envisaged as transparent electrodes for solar cells. [1] Zinc oxide nanoparticles have also been investigated as gas sensors [2] and materials for electrodes, [3] and, recently, an ultraviolet lasing effect has been observed at room temperature using ZnO nanowires. [4] These fascinating examples are based on the control of both the physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles, which depend on several factors, namely the particle size and size dispersity, the shape of the particles, the surface state, the crystal structure, the organization of the particles onto a support, and their dispensability.…”

A Review on Current Status of Stability and Knowledge on Liquid Electrolyte-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…The most evident approach was to explore the two other main polymorphs of TiO 2 : brookite [22] and rutile, where the latter can enhance the scattering characteristics of the reflecting layer owing to its higher refractive index [23]. Alternatively, ZnO [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] [61,62]. So far, the anatase TiO 2 remains the leading contender photoanode as it affords the best performances of charge collection.…”