A Fascinating Trip into Iron and Copper Dyes for DSSCs

The production of electricity in a greener and more sustainable way by employing renewable sources is a great challenge in modern times. Photovoltaic systems represent an important possibility because sunlight is the most abundant renewable source. In this review article, recent studies (from 2018 to the present) involving novel iron and copper complexes employed as dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are reported; mono- and bimetallic Fe complexes, Cu-based dyes, and devices presenting both metals are discussed, together with the performances of the DSSCs reported in the papers and the corresponding values of the main parameters employed to characterize such solar cells. The feasibility of DSSCs employing copper and iron dyes, alone or in combination with other earth-abundant metals, is demonstrated. The proper optimization of the sensitizers, together with that of the electrolyte and of the semiconducting layer, will likely lead to the development of highly performing and cheap photovoltaic devices for future applications on a much larger scale.

New examples of Ru(II)-tetrazolato complexes as thiocyanate-free sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

A set of three new Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes decorated with 5-aryl tetrazolato ligands (R-CN4)-, (D series, namely D1, D3 and D4), is presented herein. Whereas complex D1 represents the pyrazinyl tetrazolato analogue of a previously reported Ru(ii) complex (D2) with the general formula cis-[(dcbpy)2Ru(N^N)]+, in which dcbpy is 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid and N^N is the chelating 2-pyridyl tetrazolato anion, the design of the unprecedented Ru(ii) species D3 and D4 relied upon a completely different architecture. More specifically, the molecular structure of thiocyanate-based species cis-[(dcbpy)2Ru(NCS)2], that is typically found in benchmark Ru(ii) dyes for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSCs), was modified with the replacement of two of the -NCS ligands in favour of the introduction of 5-aryl tetrazolato anions, such as the deprotonated form of 5-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-tetrazole, for complex D3 and 5-(4-cyanophenyl)-1H-tetrazole in the case of complex D4. To streamline the behavior of the D series of Ru(ii) complexes as photosensitizers for DSSCs, an in-depth analysis of the excited state properties of D1, D3 and D4 was performed through TDDFT calculations and TDAS (nanosecond transient difference absorption spectroscopy). The obtained results highlight a trend that was confirmed once D1, D3 and D4 were tested as photosensitizers for DSSC under different conditions. Along the series of the Ru(ii) complexes, the neutrally charged species D3 and D4 displayed the best photovoltaic performances.

Target Protein Identification on Photocatalyst-Functionalized Magnetic Affinity Beads

Although various affinity chromatography and photoaffinity labeling methods have been developed for target protein identification of bioactive molecules, it is often difficult to detect proteins that bind the ligand with weak transient affinity using these techniques. We have developed single electron transfer-mediated tyrosine labeling using ruthenium photocatalysts. Proximity labeling using 1-methyl-4-aryl-urazole (MAUra) labels proteins in close proximity to the photocatalyst with high efficiency and selectivity. Performing this labeling reaction on affinity beads makes it possible to label proteins that bind the ligand with weak transient affinity. In this article, novel protocols are described for target protein identification using photocatalyst proximity labeling on ruthenium photocatalyst-functionalized magnetic affinity beads. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Synthesis of ruthenium photocatalyst Basic Protocol 2: Synthesis of azide- or desthiobiotin-conjugated labeling reagents Basic Protocol 3: Preparation of photocatalyst and ligand-functionalized affinity beads Basic Protocol 4: Target protein labeling in cell lysate Basic Protocol 5: Enrichment of labeled proteins with MAUra-DTB for LC-MS/MS analysis Basic Protocol 6: 2D-DIGE analysis of fluorescence-labeled proteins.

Towards efficient sustainable full-copper dye-sensitized solar cells

Two new heteroleptic copper(i) sensitizers bearing 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dibenzoic acid, to anchor the dye on the titania surface, and a π-delocalized 2-(R-phenyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole (R = NPh2 or O-hexyl) ancillary ligand were prepared and well characterized. Their performance as dyes in DSSCs is quite similar to that of the related complex bearing 2,9-dimesityl-1,10-phenanthroline as an ancillary ligand, when using the common I-/I3- redox couple or homoleptic copper complexes as electron shuttles. The experimental results along with theoretical calculations confirm the great potential of full-copper DSSCs.

Improving the efficiency of copper-dye-sensitized solar cells by manipulating the electrolyte solution

The use of a copper(i) dye, bearing a 2,9-dimesityl-1,10-phenanthroline and a 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dibenzoic acid, was investigated in DSSCs with various electrolyte solutions based on two different redox mediators, namely the common I-/I3- couple and an interesting copper electron shuttle. The experimental results provide evidence of the importance of the redox mediator concentration and the crucial role of additives such as 4-tert-butylpyridine and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in the performance of sustainable "full-copper" DSSCs, consolidating the way to DSSCs with Earth-abundant components.

Preparation and Application of Hybrid Nanomaterials

The growing demand of new materials with tailored physicochemical properties has propelled hybrid materials to a position of prominence in materials science by virtue of their remarkable new properties and multifunctional nature. [...].

Bis-tridentate Ru(ii) sensitizers with a spatially encumbered 2,6-dipyrazolylpyridine ancillary ligand for dye-sensitized solar cells

The sensitizer TF-tBu_C₃F₇ has shown the highest overall efficiencies of J_SC = 18.47 mA cm⁻², V_OC = 767 mV, FF = 0.71 and PCE = 10.05% under simulated one sun irradiation, due to the fine balance between dye loading and reduced charge recombination.

Influence of Ancillary Ligands in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have motivated many researchers to develop various sensitizers with tailored properties involving anchoring and ancillary ligands. Ancillary ligands carry favorable light-harvesting abilities and are therefore crucial in determining the overall power conversion efficiencies. The use of ancillary ligands having aliphatic chains and/or π-extended aromatic units decreases charge recombination and permits the collection of a large fraction of sunlight. This review aims to provide insight into the relationship between ancillary ligand structure and DSSC properties, which can further guide the function-oriented design and synthesis of different sensitizers for DSSCs. This review outlines how the new and rapidly expanding class of chelating ancillary ligands bearing 2,2'-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, carbene, dipyridylamine, pyridyl-benzimidazole, pyridyl-azolate, and other aromatic ligands provides a conduit for potentially enhancing the performance and stability of DSSCs. Finally, these classes of Ru polypyridyl complexes have gained increasing interest for feasible large-scale commercialization of DSSCs due to their more favorable light-harvesting abilities and long-term thermal and chemical stabilities compared with other conventional sensitizers. Therefore, the main idea is to inspire readers to explore new avenues in the design of new sensitizers for DSSCs based on different ancillary ligands.

The Effect of Donor Group Rigidification on the Electronic and Optical Properties of Arylamine-Based Metal-Free Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Computational Study

One of the most significant aspects in the development of dye-sensitized solar cells is the exploration and design of high-efficiency and low-cost dyes. This paper reports the theoretical design of various triphenylamine analogues, wherein the central nitrogen moiety establishes an sp(2)-hybridization, which endows a significant participation in the charge-transfer properties. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methodologies were utilized to investigate the geometry, electronic structure, photochemical properties, and electrochemical properties of these dyes. Different exchange-correlation functionals were initially evaluated to establish a proper methodology for calculating the excited-state energy of the reference dye, known as DIA3. Consequently, TD-LC-ωPBE with a damping parameter of 0.175 Bohr(-1) best correlates with the experimental value. Four new dyes, namely, Dhk1, Dhk2, Dhk3, and Dhk4, were designed by modifying the rigidity of the donor moiety. According to the results, altering the type and position of binding in the donor group leads to distinct planarity of the dyes, which significantly affects their properties. The designed Dhk4 dye showed more red-shifted and broadened absorption spectra owing to the enhanced coplanarity between its donor and π-bridge moiety, which brings an advantage for its potential use as sensitizer for photovoltaic applications.

High photo-currents with a zwitterionic thiocyanate-free dye in aqueous-based dye sensitized solar cells

A zwitterionic dye shows high photocurrent and incident photon to current efficiency in water based dye sensitized solar cells.