Spectroscopic detection of halogen bonding resolves dye regeneration in the dye-sensitized solar cell

Fraser G. L. Parlane, Chantal Mustoe, Cameron W. Kellett, Sarah J. Simon, Wesley B. Swords, Gerald J. Meyer (), Pierre Kennepohl () and Curtis P. Berlinguette ()
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Fraser G. L. Parlane: The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall
Chantal Mustoe: The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall
Cameron W. Kellett: The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall
Sarah J. Simon: The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall
Wesley B. Swords: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Hall 2202B
Gerald J. Meyer: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Hall 2202B
Pierre Kennepohl: The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall
Curtis P. Berlinguette: The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The interactions between a surface-adsorbed dye and a soluble redox-active electrolyte species in the dye-sensitized solar cell has a significant impact on the rate of regeneration of photo-oxidized dye molecules and open-circuit voltage of the device. Dyes must therefore be designed to encourage these interfacial interactions, but experimentally resolving how such weak interactions affect electron transfer is challenging. Herein, we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to confirm halogen bonding can exist at the dye-electrolyte interface. Using a known series of triphenylamine-based dyes bearing halogen substituents geometrically positioned for reaction with halides in solution, halogen bonding was detected only in cases where brominated and iodinated dyes were photo-oxidized. This result implies that weak intermolecular interactions between photo-oxidized dyes and the electrolyte can impact device photovoltages. This result was unexpected considering the low concentration of oxidized dyes (less than 1 in 100,000) under full solar illumination.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01726-7

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