4'-functionalized 2,2':6',2 terpyridine ruthenium (II) complex: a nanocrystalline TiO2 based solar cell sensitizer

The synthesis of an Ru(II) complex derived from 4-(4-methacryloyloxymethylphenyl)-2,2:6,2 terpyridine ligand, together with its spectral and electrochemical properties, has been described. The application of this complex, which does not possess the usual anchoring groups like carboxylate or phosphate, in a dye sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cell has indicated a short circuit current of 0.252 mA, an open circuit potential of 377 mV with an overall efficiency of 3.63%. The overall conversion efficiency of the system remains stable for a long period due to the efficient electron injection into the conduction band during light absorption. The high resolution scanning electron microscopy picture reveals a three-dimensional network of interconnected nanoscale particles, while x-ray diffraction studies show that the particle size is 21 nm

Heteropolyacid-impregnated PVDF as a solid polymer electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

Heteropolyacid (HPA)-impregnated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with iodine/iodide was prepared as a new polymer electrolyte for bio-mimicking natural photosynthesis. With this new polymer electrolyte, dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated using N3 dye-adsorbed over TiO2 nanoparticles (photoanode) and conducting carbon cement coated on conducting glass (photocathode). The fabricated cell generates high open circuit voltage (VOC 426 mV) and short circuit current (ISC 3.90 mA) upon illumination with visible light. It is also demonstrated that the polymer electrolytes prevent the back-electron transfer reactions taking place in dye-sensitized heterojunctions and are highly promising for solar energy conversion to electricity

Comparative studies of dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated with triazine coordinated ruthenium (ii) complexes using different electrodes

Dye sensitized solar cells fabricated using tridentate ligand coordinated ruthenium (II) complexes [Ru(dcbpy)(tptz)X]X , (where dcbpy = 4, 4’ – dicarboxy 2, 2’- bipyridine, tptz = 2, 4, 6, Tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine, X = Cl–, SCN–, CN–) attached to sol-gel processed TiO2 electrodes. With the above, the cells were fabricated using I– / I3– as redox electrolyte and different photocathodes like platinum coated FTO (F doped SnO2) conducting glass and conducting carbon cement coated FTO were used and compared. Keywords: Triazine, Dye-sensitized solar cells, Semiconductors

Peroxomonosulphate, an efficient oxidant of the photocatalysed degradation of a textile dye, acid red 88

Visible light-assisted degradation of a mono azo textile dye acid red 88 (AR88) was carried out in presence of titanium dioxide photocatalyst. Various operational parameters such as variation of the initial dye concentration, photocatalyst and pH on the photocatalytic degradation rate were studied. Effect of the amount of oxidants such as peroxomonosulphate (PMS) and peroxodisulphate (PDS) and the ratio of concentration of oxidant to the concentration of dye (Coxidant/Cdye) on the photocatalysed degradation rate were also investigated. Though the rate of photodegradation of the dye decreased with increase in dye concentration, the rate increased with Coxidant/Cdye ratio. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis revealed a rapid mineralisation of AR88 in the presence of PMS. A suitable mechanism explaining the observed enhanced decolorisation and mineralisation rate of the dye with PMS is presented

Increased charge transfer of Poly (ethylene oxide) based electrolyte by addition of small molecule and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

A Poly (ethylene oxide) based polymer electrolyte impregnated with 2-Mercapto benzimidazole was comprehensively characterized by XRD, UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the crystallization of PEO was dramatically reduced and the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte was increased 4.5 fold by addition of 2-Mercapto benzimidazole. UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopes indicated the formation of charge transfer complex between 2-Mercapto benzimidazole and iodine of the electrolyte. Dye-sensitized solar cells with the polymer electrolytes were assembled. It was found that both the photocurrent density and photovoltage were enhanced with respect to the DSC without 2-Mercapto benzimidazole, leading to a 60% increase of the performance of the cell

Peformance of new polymer electrolyte incorporated with diphenylamine in nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cell

A new solvent-free composite polymer electrolyte consisting of poly(ethyleneoxide)(PEO)incorporated into diphenylamine(DPA)along with KI and I2 has been developed.The current–voltage characteristics of this nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cell measured under simulated sunlight with1.5AM at 60mW/cm2 have indicated that this cell generates a photocurrent of 10.2mA/cm2, together with a photovoltage of 810mV and fillfactor of 0.47 yielding an overall energy conversion efficiency of 6.5%.This result suggests that the electron donicity of DPA influences the interaction of nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode and I/I3 electrolyte,leading to a high performance of the fabricated solar cell

The effects of sintering profiles on the resistance and flatness of transparent conducting oxide substrates for DSC

The effects of sintering on several properties of FTO and ITO substates used in DSC have been investigated. FTO & ITO substrates were prepared with a range of sizes and aspect ratios - emulated laboratory style test cells through to prototype modules. Time and temperature of the sintering profiles were varied and sheet resistance and flatness measured. Electrical properties of the substrates were then further characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and module sized devices were assembled and thickness variations over the device area were determined and related to performance

Comparative studies of dye sensitized solar cells fabricated with triazine coordinated ruthenium (II) complexes using different electrodes

Dye sensitized solar cells fabricated using tridentate ligand coordinated ruthenium (II) complexes [Ru(dcbpy)(tptz)X]X , (where dcbpy = 4, 4’ – dicarboxy 2, 2’- bipyridine, tptz = 2, 4, 6, Tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine, X = Cl–, SCN–, CN–) attached to sol-gel processed TiO2 electrodes. With the above, the cells were fabricated using I– / I3– as redox electrolyte and different photocathodes like platinum coated FTO (F doped SnO2) conducting glass and conducting carbon cement coated FTO were used and compared.\ud Keywords: Triazine, Dye-sensitized solar cells, Semiconductors.\u