Molecular Level Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Organic Chromophores for p -Type Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Svitlana Karamshuk, Stefano Caramori, Norberto Manfredi, Matteo Salamone, Riccardo Ruffo, Stefano Carli, Carlo A. Bignozzi and Alessandro Abbotto
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Svitlana Karamshuk: Department of Materials Science and Milano-Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center—MIB-Solar, University of Milano-Bicocca, INSTM Unit, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
Stefano Caramori: Department of Chemistry, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Norberto Manfredi: Department of Materials Science and Milano-Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center—MIB-Solar, University of Milano-Bicocca, INSTM Unit, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
Matteo Salamone: Department of Materials Science and Milano-Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center—MIB-Solar, University of Milano-Bicocca, INSTM Unit, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
Riccardo Ruffo: Department of Materials Science and Milano-Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center—MIB-Solar, University of Milano-Bicocca, INSTM Unit, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
Stefano Carli: Department of Chemistry, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Carlo A. Bignozzi: Department of Chemistry, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Alessandro Abbotto: Department of Materials Science and Milano-Bicocca Solar Energy Research Center—MIB-Solar, University of Milano-Bicocca, INSTM Unit, Via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: A series of mono- and di-branched donor-?-acceptor charge-separated dyes incorporating triphenylamine as a donor and either Dalton’s or benzothiadiazole group as strong acceptors was synthesized and its fundamental properties relevant to the sensitization of nanocrystalline NiO investigated. The dyes exhibited an intense visible absorption band with a strong charge transfer character favorable to NiO sensitization, shifting the electron density from the donor to the acceptor branches. Nevertheless, the computed exciton binding energy is circa twice that of a common literature standard (P1), suggesting a more difficult charge separation. When tested in p -type dye-sensitized solar cells the dyes successfully sensitized NiO electrodes, with photocurrent densities about half than that of the reference compound. Being recombination kinetics comparable, the larger photocurrent generated by P1 agrees with the superior charge separation capability originating by its smaller exciton binding energy.

Keywords: dyes; heteroaromatic; visible absorption; dipolar; donor–acceptor; triphenylamine; branched; Suzuki coupling; DFT-TDDFT (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: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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