Tunable Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells via Co-Sensitization and Energy Transfer from Spiropyran Derivatives to YD2

Keitaro Ono, Ryuhei Ejima and Michihiro Hara ()
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Keitaro Ono: Department of Applied Science and Engineering, Fukui University of Technology, Fukui 910-8505, Japan
Ryuhei Ejima: Department of Applied Science and Engineering, Fukui University of Technology, Fukui 910-8505, Japan
Michihiro Hara: Department of Applied Science and Engineering, Fukui University of Technology, Fukui 910-8505, Japan

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: We fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) co-sensitized with the organic dye YD2 and a spiropyran derivative (SPNO 2 ), a photochromic molecule capable of reversible isomerization under light irradiation. Upon UV exposure, SPNO 2 converts from its closed spiropyran (SP) form to the open photomerocyanine (PMC) form, which absorbs visible light and changes the optical properties of the photoelectrode. Spectroscopic analysis showed an 18% decrease in transmittance at 540 nm after UV irradiation and a 10% increase following visible light exposure. These changes were accompanied by a 0.5% increase in power conversion efficiency (η) after 5 min of UV irradiation, and a 0.83% decrease after 10 min of visible light. Although direct electron injection from PMC into TiO 2 appears inefficient, the enhanced performance is attributed to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from PMC to YD2. This photoresponsive behavior highlights a co-sensitization strategy that combines dynamic optical control and efficient energy transfer. Our findings demonstrate a promising approach to designing smart DSSCs with externally tunable photovoltaic properties using photochromic sensitizers.

Keywords: dye-sensitized solar cells; Förster resonance energy transfer; external light stimulation; photochromic molecules; YD2 dye (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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