Photoelectrochemical solar cells using [(dcbH2)2RuLL ],L, L′ = substituted pyridines, as nanocrystalline TiO2 sensitizers

Abstract

The development of thin‐layer transparent solar cells based on dye sensitization of nanocrystalline n‐type TiO2 undertaken at the Laboratory of Inorganic Photochemistry and Energy Conversion at the Chemistry Institute of Universidade de São Paulo is presented. Compounds of the formula cis‐ , L, L′ = substituted pyridines, as nanocrystalline TiO2, ‐bipyridine and L, L′ = substituted pyridines, have been successfully employed as molecular sensitizers in photoelectrochemical solar cells based on dye‐sensitization of n‐TiO2. This regenerative solar cell consists of a TCO glass with a dye‐sensitized TiO2 semiconductor film as a photoanode, I2/LiI solution in acetonitrile as a redox mediator and a transparent Pt coated TCO glass as a counter electrode. Efficient conversion of visible light into electricity was achieved with IPCE (Incident Photon‐to‐Current Conversion Efficiency) as high as 50% between 400 and 550 nm.