Molecularly engineered Ru(II) sensitizers compatible with cobalt(II/III) redox mediators for dye-sensitized solar cells

Kuan Lin Wu, Aron J. Huckaba, John N. Clifford, Ya Wen Yang, Aswani Yella, Emilio Palomares, Michael Grätzel, Yun Chi, Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thiocyanate-free isoquinazolylpyrazolate Ru(II) complexes were synthesized and applied as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Unlike most other successful Ru sensitizers, Co-based electrolytes were used, and resulting record efficiency of 9.53% was obtained under simulated sunlight with an intensity of 100 mW cm-2. Specifically, dye 51-57dht.1 and an electrolyte based on Co(phen)3 led to measurement of a JSC of 13.89 mA cm-2, VOC of 900 mV, and FF of 0.762 to yield 9.53% efficiency. The improved device performances were achieved by the inclusion of 2-hexylthiophene units onto the isoquinoline subunits, in addition to lengthening the perfluoroalkyl chain on the pyrazolate chelating group, which worked to increase light absorption and decrease recombination effects when using the Co-based electrolyte. As this study shows, Ru(II) sensitizers bearing sterically demanding ligands can allow successful utilization of important Co electrolytes and high performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7388-7395
Number of pages8
JournalInorganic Chemistry
Volume55
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
A.J.H. and M.K.N. thank the European Commission H2020-ICT-2014-1, SOLEDLIGHT project, grant agreement 643791, and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Y.C. thanks the MOST of Taiwan for funding (grant 104-2119-M-007-001).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 American Chemical Society.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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