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Hupfer ML, Herrmann-Westendorf F, Dietzek B, Presselt M. In situ photothermal deflection spectroscopy revealing intermolecular interactions upon self-assembly of dye monolayers. Analyst 2021; 146:5033-5036. [PMID: 34291247 DOI: 10.1039/d1an00582k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the potential of photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) to study the self-assembly of dye monolayers in situ. Beyond the determination of adsorption kinetics at specific wavelengths, PDS gains its strength from yielding UV-vis absorptance spectra of SAMs in situ, unaffected by scattering, from which supramolecular interactions can be deduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian L Hupfer
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), Department Functional Interfaces, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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2
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Deng K, Cole JM, Cooper JFK, Webster JRP, Haynes R, Al Bahri OK, Steinke NJ, Guan S, Stan L, Zhan X, Zhu T, Nye DW, Stenning GBG. Electrolyte/Dye/TiO 2 Interfacial Structures of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Revealed by In Situ Neutron Reflectometry with Contrast Matching. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:1970-1982. [PMID: 33492974 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The nature of an interfacial structure buried within a device assembly is often critical to its function. For example, the dye/TiO2 interfacial structure that comprises the working electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) governs its photovoltaic output. These structures have been determined outside of the DSC device, using ex situ characterization methods; yet, they really should be probed while held within a DSC since they are modulated by the device environment. Dye/TiO2 structures will be particularly influenced by a layer of electrolyte ions that lies above the dye self-assembly. We show that electrolyte/dye/TiO2 interfacial structures can be resolved using in situ neutron reflectometry with contrast matching. We find that electrolyte constituents ingress into the self-assembled monolayer of dye molecules that anchor onto TiO2. Some dye/TiO2 anchoring configurations are modulated by the formation of electrolyte/dye intermolecular interactions. These electrolyte-influencing structural changes will affect dye-regeneration and electron-injection DSC operational processes. This underpins the importance of this in situ structural determination of electrolyte/dye/TiO2 interfaces within representative DSC device environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Deng
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline M Cole
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Joshaniel F K Cooper
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - John R P Webster
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Haynes
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Othman K Al Bahri
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Nina-Juliane Steinke
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Shaoliang Guan
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Liliana Stan
- Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Xiaozhi Zhan
- Dongguan Neutron Science Center, Dongguan 523000, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Daniel W Nye
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin B G Stenning
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
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3
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Zhang L, Xue J, Gao C, Xu M, Zhao P, Ge S, Yu J. Ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sensor enabled by a target-induced signal quencher release strategy. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj01435d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this work, a target-induced signal quencher release strategy was proposed to construct a sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials
- University of Jinan
- Jinan
- P. R. China
| | - Jie Xue
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan
- P. R. China
| | - Chaomin Gao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan
- P. R. China
| | - Meiling Xu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials
- University of Jinan
- Jinan
- P. R. China
| | - Peini Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan
- P. R. China
| | - Shenguang Ge
- Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- China
| | - Jinghua Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan
- P. R. China
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4
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Hupfer ML, Herrmann‐Westendorf F, Kaufmann M, Weiß D, Beckert R, Dietzek B, Presselt M. Autonomous Supramolecular Interface Self‐Healing Monitored by Restoration of UV/Vis Absorption Spectra of Self‐Assembled Thiazole Layers. Chemistry 2019; 25:8630-8634. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian L. Hupfer
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Helmholtzweg 4 07743 Jena Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) Albert-Einstein-Str. 9 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Felix Herrmann‐Westendorf
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Helmholtzweg 4 07743 Jena Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) Albert-Einstein-Str. 9 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Martin Kaufmann
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Helmholtzweg 4 07743 Jena Germany
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Humboldstraße 10 07743 Jena Germany
| | - Dieter Weiß
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Humboldstraße 10 07743 Jena Germany
| | - Rainer Beckert
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Humboldstraße 10 07743 Jena Germany
| | - Benjamin Dietzek
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Helmholtzweg 4 07743 Jena Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) Albert-Einstein-Str. 9 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Martin Presselt
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller University Jena Helmholtzweg 4 07743 Jena Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) Albert-Einstein-Str. 9 07745 Jena Germany
- Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena)Friedrich Schiller University Jena Philosophenweg 7a 07743 Jena Germany
- sciclus GmbH & Co. KG Moritz-von-Rohr-Str. 1a 07745 Jena Germany
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5
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Cole JM, Pepe G, Al Bahri OK, Cooper CB. Cosensitization in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Chem Rev 2019; 119:7279-7327. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M. Cole
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, West Cambridge Site, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
- Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Giulio Pepe
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Othman K. Al Bahri
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher B. Cooper
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, West Cambridge Site, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
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6
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Gianneli M, Polo E, Lopez H, Castagnola V, Aastrup T, Dawson KA. Label-free in-flow detection of receptor recognition motifs on the biomolecular corona of nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:5474-5481. [PMID: 29511756 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr07887k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine, nanotargeting and nanotherapeutics have in the last few years faced several difficulties in translating the promising results obtained in vitro to an in vivo scenario. The origin of this discrepancy might be found in the lack of a detailed and realistic characterization of the biological surface of nanoparticles. Despite the capability to engineer nanomaterials with a great variety and a precise control of the surface functionalization, the targeting capability is lost when the nanoparticles are embedded in complex biological media, due to the formation of a biological layer (biomolecular corona). This biological layer represents the ultimate nanoparticle surface, likely to interact with the cell machinery. Therefore, in addition to traditional nanoparticle characterization techniques, a more insightful investigation of the biomolecular corona is needed, including the capability to assess the orientation and functionality of specific key molecular features. Here we present a method for the rapid screening of exposed protein recognition motifs on the surface of nanoparticles exploiting quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). We quantify accessible functional epitopes of transferrin-coated nanoparticles and correlate them to differences in nanoparticle size and functionalization. The target recognition occurs label free in flow, thereby pushing our investigation into a more in vivo-like scenario. Our method is applicable to a wide array of nanoparticles and therefore holds the potential to become an advanced technique for the classification of all kinds of nanobioconstructs based on their biological external functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gianneli
- Attana AB, Greta Arwidssons Väg 21, SE-11419 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - E Polo
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - H Lopez
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - V Castagnola
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - T Aastrup
- Attana AB, Greta Arwidssons Väg 21, SE-11419 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K A Dawson
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland.
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7
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Xue J, Gao C, Zhang L, Cui K, He W, Yu J. A single-interface photoelectrochemical sensor based on branched TiO2 nanorods@strontium titanate for the detection of two biomarkers. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:4697-4703. [DOI: 10.1039/c8tb00992a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Based on the enhanced photogenerated charge-separation properties of B-TiO2 NRs@SrTiO3 heterostructures, a photoelectrochemical sensor for detecting alpha fetoprotein and cancer antigen 153 at a single interface was first established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xue
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- P. R. China
| | - Chaomin Gao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- P. R. China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- P. R. China
| | - Kang Cui
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- P. R. China
| | - Wenxing He
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- P. R. China
| | - Jinghua Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- University of Jinan
- Jinan 250022
- P. R. China
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8
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Teuscher J, Brauer JC, Stepanov A, Solano A, Boziki A, Chergui M, Wolf JP, Rothlisberger U, Banerji N, Moser JE. Charge separation and carrier dynamics in donor-acceptor heterojunction photovoltaic systems. STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS (MELVILLE, N.Y.) 2017; 4:061503. [PMID: 29308415 PMCID: PMC5736396 DOI: 10.1063/1.4996409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Electron transfer and subsequent charge separation across donor-acceptor heterojunctions remain the most important areas of study in the field of third-generation photovoltaics. In this context, it is particularly important to unravel the dynamics of individual ultrafast processes (such as photoinduced electron transfer, carrier trapping and association, and energy transfer and relaxation), which prevail in materials and at their interfaces. In the frame of the National Center of Competence in Research "Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology," a research instrument of the Swiss National Science Foundation, several groups active in the field of ultrafast science in Switzerland have applied a number of complementary experimental techniques and computational simulation tools to scrutinize these critical photophysical phenomena. Structural, electronic, and transport properties of the materials and the detailed mechanisms of photoinduced charge separation in dye-sensitized solar cells, conjugated polymer- and small molecule-based organic photovoltaics, and high-efficiency lead halide perovskite solar energy converters have been scrutinized. Results yielded more than thirty research articles, an overview of which is provided here.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan C Brauer
- FemtoMat Group, Department of Chemistry, Université de Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Andrey Stepanov
- GAP-Biophotonics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Jean-Pierre Wolf
- GAP-Biophotonics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Université de Genève, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Natalie Banerji
- FemtoMat Group, Department of Chemistry, Université de Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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9
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Aghazada S, Ren Y, Wang P, Nazeeruddin MK. Effect of Donor Groups on the Performance of Cyclometalated Ruthenium Sensitizers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Inorg Chem 2017; 56:13437-13445. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sadig Aghazada
- Group for Molecular
Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Chemical Sciences
and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland
| | - Yameng Ren
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, 310028 Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022 Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Wang
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, 310028 Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin
- Group for Molecular
Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Chemical Sciences
and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland
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10
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McCree-Grey J, Cole JM, Holt SA, Evans PJ, Gong Y. DyeTiO 2 interfacial structure of dye-sensitised solar cell working electrodes buried under a solution of I -/I 3- redox electrolyte. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:11793-11805. [PMID: 28786471 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr03936k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs) have niche prospects for electricity-generating windows that could equip buildings for energy-sustainable future cities. However, this 'smart window' technology is being held back by a lack of understanding in how the dye interacts with its device environment at the molecular level. A better appreciation of the dyeTiO2 interfacial structure of the DSC working electrodes would be particularly valuable since associated structure-function relationships could be established; these rules would provide a 'toolkit' for the molecular engineering of more suitable DSC dyes via rational design. Previous materials characterisation efforts have been limited to determining this interfacial structure within an environment exposed to air or situated in a solvent medium. This study is the first to reveal the structure of this buried interface within the functional device environment, and represents the first application of in situ neutron reflectometry to DSC research. By incorporating the electrolyte into the structural model of this buried interface, we reveal how lithium cations from the electrolyte constituents influence the dyeTiO2 binding configuration of an organic sensitiser, MK-44, via Li+ complexation to the cyanoacrylate group. This dye is the molecular congener of the high-performance MK-2 DSC dye, whose hexa-alkyl chains appear to stabilise it from Li+ complexation. Our in situ neutron reflectometry findings are built up from auxiliary structural models derived from ex situ X-ray reflectometry and corroborated via density functional theory and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. Significant differences between the in situ and ex situ dyeTiO2 interfacial structures are found, highlighting the need to characterise the molecular structure of DSC working electrodes while in a fully assembled device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan McCree-Grey
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
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11
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Cole JM, Blood-Forsythe MA, Lin TC, Pattison P, Gong Y, Vázquez-Mayagoitia Á, Waddell PG, Zhang L, Koumura N, Mori S. Discovery of S···C≡N Intramolecular Bonding in a Thiophenylcyanoacrylate-Based Dye: Realizing Charge Transfer Pathways and Dye···TiO 2 Anchoring Characteristics for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:25952-25961. [PMID: 28692246 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b03522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Donor-π-acceptor dyes containing thiophenyl π-conjugated units and cyanoacrylate acceptor groups are among the best-performing organic chromophores used in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) applications. Yet, the molecular origins of their high photovoltaic output have remained unclear until now. This synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction study elucidates these origins for the high-performance thiophenylcyanoacrylate-based dye MK-2 (7.7% DSC device efficiency) and its molecular building block, MK-44. The crystal structures of MK-2 and MK-44 are both determined, while a high-resolution charge-density mapping of the smaller molecule was also possible, enabling the nature of its bonding to be detailed. A strong S···C≡N intramolecular interaction is discovered, which bears a bond critical point, thus proving that this interaction should be formally classified as a chemical bond. A topological analysis of the π-conjugated portion of MK-44 shows that this S···C≡N bonding underpins the highly efficient intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) in thiophenylcyanoacrylate dyes. This manifests as two bipartite ICT pathways bearing carboxylate and nitrile end points. In turn, these pathways dictate a preferred COO/CN anchoring mode for the dye as it adsorbs onto TiO2 surfaces, to form the dye···TiO2 interface that constitutes the DSC working electrode. These results corroborate a recent proposal that all cyanoacrylate groups anchor onto TiO2 in this COO/CN binding configuration. Conformational analysis of the MK-44 and MK-2 crystal structures reveals that this S···C≡N bonding will persist in MK-2. Accordingly, this newly discovered bond affords a rational explanation for the attractive photovoltaic properties of MK-2. More generally, this study provides the first unequivocal evidence for an S···C≡N interaction, confirming previous speculative assignments of such interactions in other compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M Cole
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory , Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
- Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge , West Cambridge Site, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, United Kingdom
| | - Martin A Blood-Forsythe
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Tze-Chia Lin
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Pattison
- Swiss Norwegian Beamlines, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility , F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yun Gong
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul G Waddell
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights NSW 2234, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Nagatoshi Koumura
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology , 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Shogo Mori
- Division of Chemistry and Materials, Shinshu University, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology , Ueda, Nagano 3868567, Japan
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12
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Fabrication, Optimization and Characterization of Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41470. [PMID: 28128369 PMCID: PMC5270247 DOI: 10.1038/srep41470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dyes extracted from pomegranate and berry fruits were successfully used in the fabrication of natural dye sensitized solar cells (NDSSC). The morphology, porosity, surface roughness, thickness, absorption and emission characteristics of the pomegranate dye sensitized photo-anode were studied using various analytical techniques including FESEM, EDS, TEM, AFM, FTIR, Raman, Fluorescence and Absorption Spectroscopy. Pomegranate dye extract has been shown to contain anthocyanin which is an excellent light harvesting pigment needed for the generation of charge carriers for the production of electricity. The solar cell’s photovoltic performance in terms of efficiency, voltage, and current was tested with a standard illumination of air-mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5 G) having an irradiance of 100 mW/cm2. After optimization of the photo-anode and counter electrode, a photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of 2%, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.39 mV, and a short-circuit current density (Isc) of 12.2 mA/cm2 were obtained. Impedance determination showed a relatively low charge-transfer resistance (17.44 Ω) and a long lifetime, signifying a reduction in recombination losses. The relatively enhanced efficiency is attributable in part to the use of a highly concentrated pomegranate dye, graphite counter electrode and TiCl4 treatment of the photo-anode.
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13
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Miller EJ, Trewby W, Farokh Payam A, Piantanida L, Cafolla C, Voïtchovsky K. Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid. J Vis Exp 2016:54924. [PMID: 28060262 PMCID: PMC5226432 DOI: 10.3791/54924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a well-established technique for nanoscale imaging of samples in air and in liquid. Recent studies have shown that when operated in amplitude-modulation (tapping) mode, atomic or molecular-level resolution images can be achieved over a wide range of soft and hard samples in liquid. In these situations, small oscillation amplitudes (SAM-AFM) enhance the resolution by exploiting the solvated liquid at the surface of the sample. Although the technique has been successfully applied across fields as diverse as materials science, biology and biophysics and surface chemistry, obtaining high-resolution images in liquid can still remain challenging for novice users. This is partly due to the large number of variables to control and optimize such as the choice of cantilever, the sample preparation, and the correct manipulation of the imaging parameters. Here, we present a protocol for achieving high-resolution images of hard and soft samples in fluid using SAM-AFM on a commercial instrument. Our goal is to provide a step-by-step practical guide to achieving high-resolution images, including the cleaning and preparation of the apparatus and the sample, the choice of cantilever and optimization of the imaging parameters. For each step, we explain the scientific rationale behind our choices to facilitate the adaptation of the methodology to every user's specific system.
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14
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Cole JM, Low KS, Gong Y. Discovery of Black Dye Crystal Structure Polymorphs: Implications for Dye Conformational Variation in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:27646-27653. [PMID: 26599130 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b07364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We present the discovery of a new crystal structure polymorph (1) and pseudopolymorph (2) of the Black Dye, one of the world's leading dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells, DSSCs (10.4% device performance efficiency). This reveals that Black Dye molecules can adopt multiple low-energy conformers. This is significant since it challenges existing models of the Black Dye···TiO2 adsorption process that renders a DSSC working electrode; these have assumed a single molecular conformation that refers to the previously reported Black Dye crystal structure (3). The marked structural differences observed between 1, 2, and 3 make the need for modeling multiple conformations more acute. Additionally, the ordered form of the Black Dye (1) provides a more appropriate depiction of its anionic structure, especially regarding its anchoring group and NCS bonding descriptions. The tendency toward NCS ligand isomerism, evidenced via the disordered form 2, has consequences for electron injection and electron recombination in Black Dye embedded DSSC devices. Dyes 2 and 3 differ primarily by the absence or presence of a solvent of crystallization, respectively; solvent environment effects on the dye are thereby elucidated. This discovery of multiple Black Dye conformers from diffraction, with atomic-level definition, complements recently reported nanoscopic evidence for multiple dye conformations existing at a dye···TiO2 interface, for a chemically similar DSSC dye; those results emanated from imaging and spectroscopy, but were unresolved at the submolecular level. Taken together, these findings lead to the general notion that multiple dye conformations should be explicitly considered when modeling dye···TiO2 interfaces in DSSCs, at least for ruthenium-based dye complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M Cole
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 S Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Kian Sing Low
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Yun Gong
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge , J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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