| 1. |
- Deng, Zijian, et al.
(author)
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Helical Copper Redox Mediator with Low Electron Recombination for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
- 2021
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In: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2168-0485. ; 9:15, s. 5252-5259
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Redox mediators play a major role in determining the photocurrent and photovoltage in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Copper complexes are a good option for redox mediators but suffer from electron recombination. The traditional method is to add 4-(tert-butyl)pyridine (TBP) to the electrolyte, which is coordinated with the empty orbit of Ti, thereby slowing down the oxidized mediator's ability to capture electrons. However, this strategy will result in competitive coordination between the redox mediator and TBP, decreasing the stability of the device. In this study, two helical copper(I) complexes are synthesized and applied to TBP-free solar cells. La (1,3-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-yloxy)propane) and Lb (1,3-bis[(6'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridin-6-yl)oxy]propane) tend to form double-stranded helicates ([Cu-2(Ln)(2)](2+), n = a, b) rather than mononuclear complexes ([Cu(Ln)](+), n = a, b). To facilitate quantitative analysis of the complexes, Cu(I)Ln and Cu(II)Ln (n = a, b) are used as molecular formulae. (CuLa)-La-I and Cu(I)Lb are characterized by electrospray mass spectroscopy, H-1 NMR spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. J-V measurement shows that both V-oc and J(sc) increase with the increase of (CuLa)-La-I concentration (below 0.1 M), and the best power conversion efficiency is 8.2%. The relationship between Cu(I) concentration and recombination for further study was measured by IMVS.
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| 2. |
- An, Jincheng, et al.
(author)
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Fine-Tuning by Triple Bond of Carbazole Derivative Dyes to Obtain High Efficiency for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Copper Electrolyte
- 2020
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In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : NLM (Medline). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 12:41, s. 46397-46405
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Three novel dyes consisting of a 5,8,15-tris(2-ethylhexyl)-8,15-dihydro-5H-benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b':6,5-b″]tricarbazole (BTC) electron-donating group and a 4,7-bis(4-hexylthiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BTBT) π-bridge with an anchoring group of phenyl carboxyl acid were synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs).The AJ202 did not contain any triple bonds, the AJ201's ethynyl group was inserted between the BTC and BTBT units, and the AJ206's ethynyl group was introduced between the BTBT moiety and the anchor group. The inclusion and position of the ethynyl linkage in the sensitizer molecules significantly altered the electrochemical properties of these dyes, which can fine-tune the energy levels of the dyes. The best performing devices contained AJ206 as a sensitizer and a Cu(I/II) redox couple, which resulted in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 10.8% under the standard AM 1.5 G illumination, which obtained PCEs higher than those from the devices that contained AJ201 (9.2%) and AJ202 (9.7%) under the same conditions. The highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels of the sensitizers were tuned to be well-suited for the Cu(I/II) redox potential and the Fermi level of TiO2. The innovative synthesis of a tricarbazole-based donor moiety in a sensitizer used in combination with a Cu(I/II) redox couple has resulted in relatively high PCEs.
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| 3. |
- An, Jincheng, et al.
(author)
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Thiophene-fused carbazole derivative dyes for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells
- 2021
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In: Tetrahedron. - : Elsevier BV. - 0040-4020 .- 1464-5416. ; 88
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two novel dyes that are similar in chemical structure, except for different donor units, AJ301and AJ303 were synthesized, characterized and applied as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Both dyes exhibited a wide absorption of visible sunlight. The introduction of fused rings on the donor unit of AJ303 presented an appropriate energy level, less recombination and longer electron lifetime to achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.2%, far above that achieved for AJ301 of 6.2% with a [Co(bpy)(3)](2+/3+)-based electrolyte under standard AM1.5G solar irradiation (100 mW cm(-2)). The DSSCs based on AJ303 and AJ301 with [Cu(tmby)(2)](2+/+)-based electrolyte showed a lower PCE of 8.2% and 5.4%, respectively. Therefore, the results indicated that the introduction of a fused-ring in the donor group is a meaningful synthetic strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance.
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