Abstract
Since the discovery of Grätzel-type dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) in the early 1990s, there has been an exponential growth in the number of publications dealing with their optimization and new design concepts. Conventional Grätzel DSCs use ruthenium(II) complexes as sensitizers, and the highest photon-to-electrical current conversion efficiency for a ruthenium dye is ≈12%. However, ruthenium is both rare and expensive, and replacement by cheaper and more sustainable metals is desirable. In this Tutorial Review, we describe strategies for assembling copper(I) complexes for use as dyes in DSCs, a research area that has been active since ≈2008. We demonstrate design principles for (I) ligands to anchor the complex to a semiconductor surface and promote electron transfer from dye to semiconductor, and (II) ancillary ligands to tune the light absorption properties of the dye and facilitate electron transfer from electrolyte to dye in the DSC. We assess the progress made in terms of light-harvesting and overall photoconversion efficiencies of copper(I)-containing DSCs and highlight areas that remain ripe for development and improvement.
Highlights
Solar photons are a source of near-unlimited energy which could be utilized to satisfy the ever-increasing demand of our society for electrical and other energies
Conventional Gratzel dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) use ruthenium(II) complexes as sensitizers, and the highest photon-to-electrical current conversion efficiency for a ruthenium dye is E12%. Ruthenium is both rare and expensive, and replacement by cheaper and more sustainable metals is desirable. In this Tutorial Review, we describe strategies for assembling copper(I) complexes for use as dyes in DSCs, a research area that has been active since E2008
We demonstrate design principles for (i) ligands to anchor the complex to a semiconductor surface and promote electron transfer from dye to semiconductor, and (ii) ancillary ligands to tune the light absorption properties of the dye and facilitate electron transfer from electrolyte to dye in the DSC
Summary
Solar photons are a source of near-unlimited energy which could be utilized to satisfy the ever-increasing demand of our society for electrical and other energies. The performance parameters for DSCs with this dye are comparable using either IÀ/I3À or [Co(bpy)3]2+/3+; for the latter, an optimal JSC value of 5.05 mA cmÀ2 contributed to an overall DSC efficiency of 1.73% in masked cells.[54] The potential for replacing IÀ/I3À by Co2+/Co3+ electrolytes has been shown by Elliott, using [Co(4,40-tBu2bpy)3]2+/3+ and the heteroleptic dye 22 (Scheme 11).[32] The peripheral 10H-phenothiazine groups facilitate rapid reduction of copper(II) in the excited state dye, and this militates against kinetic trapping of Cu(II) by the 4-tbutylpyridine additive in the [Co(4,40-tBu2bpy)3]2+/3+ electrolyte. Optimization of electrolytes for copper(I) DSCs is essential if photoconversion efficiencies are to be further increased
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