1,10 phenanthroline 5,6 diol metal complex (Cu, Fe) sensitized solar cells: A cocktail dye effect

Abstract

In this study, a novel 1–10 phenanthroline and 1–10 phenanthroline 5,6 diol based metal complex sensitizers for dyes sensitized solar cells applications is investigated. The 1–10 phenanthroline 5,6 diol structure is formed by the addition of two –OH groups to 1–10 phenanthroline, which has higher cell yields due to binding sites of TiO2. The 1–10 phenanthroline 5,6 diol metal complexes are prepared with Cu and Fe at different pH values. Additionally, these metal complexes are mixed at different ratio to prepare cocktail dyes. The maximum cell efficiency value of dyes sensitized solar cells based on 1–10 phenanthroline 5,6 diol prepared with Cu:Fe 2:1 ratio cocktail dyes is 3.70%. The phen-ol based DSSC containing Cu-complex dye exhibits 2.80% conversion efficiency value, which shows an 25% lower than cocktail phen-ol based dyes sensitized solar cells. The solar cell efficiency values are demonstrated decrement by increasing of Fe-complex ratio. However, the Fe-complexes exhibit more stable complex structures than Cu-complexes. This phenomenon also gives a new way to the use of the environmentally friendly metal complex-based dyes sensitized solar cells. Additionally, these transition metal-based sensitizers will be an alternative to synthetic organic dyes and noble metal-based solar cells.