ZnO Nanoparticles Photosensitization Using Ruthenium(II)‐polypyridyl Isomeric Complexes

Abstract

The coordination of photosensitizing dyes to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has attracted extensive attention as promising candidates for applications in solar cells. Here, we report the synthesis of ZnO NPs functionalized with geometric isomers of ruthenium(II)‐polypyridyl complexes and a preliminary study of their photophysical properties by fluorescence spectroscopy. ZnO NPs synthesis was carried out by direct precipitation. IR, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, XRD and TG‐DTA techniques were used for ZnO NPs characterization. Trans and cis complexes of Ru(II) using 2,2′‐bipyridine and 2,2’‐bipyridine‐4,4’‐dicarboxylic acid as ligands were assembled to ZnO NPs. The presence not only of a band of around 355 nm, but also at 465 nm, in the electronic spectrum indicates the modification of the ZnO surface with the synthesized complexes. The fluorescence behaviour of Ru(II) complexes modified ZnO NPs suggested an electron transfer process through the system. Remarkably, the trans isomer modified system showed better response during the electron transfer. This information could be considered during the design of photoanodes in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells.

Bacillus thuringiensis Based Ruthenium/Nickel Co-Doped Zinc as a Green Nanocatalyst: Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity, Mechanism, and Efficient H2 Production from Sodium Borohydride Methanolysis

“…The results of the TEM and XRD analyses complement each other in identifying particle size. The results of the TEM investigation of bt RNZn NPs are consistent with the literature. , …”

“…The peak at 927 cm –1 observed in the FTIR spectrum represents the C–H bending vibration band . The peak at 616 cm –1 observed in the FTIR spectrum corresponds to the O–H bending vibration band or the −C–H bending vibration band. , The peaks between 500 and 1000 cm –1 observed in the FTIR spectrum of bt RNZn NPs in Figure a indicate the formation of metal biomolecules in the sample. , These peaks represent trimetallic NPs bound to oxygen (RuO 2 , NiO, ZnO) from hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. − In the FTIR analysis, characteristic functional groups observed in the biomass obtained from bacterial culture were also observed in the spectrum of bt RNZn NPs. This indicates the presence of metabolites on the surface of bt RNZn NPs and is involved in the reduction and capping of NPs …”

“…The results of the TEM investigation of btRNZn NPs are consistent with the literature. 57,58 XRD Analysis. Figure 2 shows the X-ray diffraction of NPs on CuKα radiation (λ = 1.5406°) recorded.…”

“…56,57 The peaks between 500 and 1000 cm −1 observed in the FTIR spectrum of btRNZn NPs in Figure 3a indicate the formation of metal biomolecules in the sample. 58,59 These peaks represent trimetallic NPs bound to oxygen (RuO 2 , NiO, ZnO) from hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. 75−80 In the FTIR analysis, characteristic functional groups observed in the biomass obtained from bacterial culture were also observed in the spectrum of btRNZn NPs.…”