Electronic, optical, and charge transfer properties of donor–bridge–acceptor hydrazone sensitizers

Abstract

The ground state geometries have been computed by using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G*, B3LYP/6-31G**, and PCM-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theories. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) are delocalized on whole of the molecule and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) are localized on the tricarbonitrile. The lowest HOMO and LUMO energies have been observed for Dye1 while highest for Dye4. The LUMO energies of Dye1–Dye4 are above the conduction band of TiO2 and HOMOs are below the redox couple. The absorption spectra have been computed in solvent (methanol) and without solvent by using time-dependant DFT at TD-B3LYP/6-31G*, TD-B3LYP/6-31G**, and PCM-TD-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theories. The calculated maximum absorption wavelengths of the spectra in methanol are in good agreement with experimental evidences. The maximum absorption wavelengths of new designed sensitizers are red shifted compared to parent molecule. The electronic coupling constant and electron injection have been computed by first principle investigations. The improved electronic coupling constant and electron injection revealed that new modeled systems would be efficient sensitizers.