Effect of terthiophene spacer position in Ru(II) bipyridyl complexes on the photocurrent and photovoltage for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Dyes and pigments Vol. 156; pp. 348 - 356
• Main Authors: Elmorsy, Mohamed R., Su, Rui, Fadda, Ahmed A., Etman, H.A., Tawfik, Eman H., El-Shafei, Ahmed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2018
• Subjects: DSSCs; Extinction coefficient; Ru (II) complex; Terthiophene; Terthiophene; Extinction coefficient; DSSCs; Ru (II) complex
• ISSN: 0143-7208; 1873-3743
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2018.04.005

Two novel ruthenium complexes, MR-1 and MR-2 were synthesized for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Under similar fabrication conditions, the photovoltaic performances of these dyes were evaluated and compared to the standard ruthenium complex N719. MR-1 and MR-2 showed the efficiencies of 8.19% and 5.32%, respectively, while N719 achieved 7.66%. MR-1 also displayed higher VOC than MR-2, which is due to the larger molecular size and higher molar extinction coefficient of the former, which translates into less dye aggregation on a thinner film of TiO2. Incorporation of terthiophene as a linker reduces the band gap of MR-1 when compared to that of MR-2. The influence of π-conjugated bridge on optical and electrochemical properties was investigated. Results demonstrated that the absorption band of MR-1 displayed higher extinction coefficient with a broader absorption compared to MR-2 and the benchmark Ru(II) dye, N719, due to the enhancement of electron donating ability of π-conjugated bridge. [Display omitted] •Two novel ruthenium complexes, MR-1 and MR-2 were synthesized for use in (DSSCs).•MR-1 showed the highest efficiency (8.19%) compared to MR-2 and N719.•Incorporation of terthiophene as a linker reduces the band gap of MR-2.•MR-1 displayed higher extinction coefficient with a broader absorption than MR-2.