New thiocyanate-free ruthenium(II) sensitizers with different pyrid-2-yl tetrazolate ligands for dye-sensitized solar cells.

The synthesis of two new thiocyanate free Ru(II) complexes with different pyrid-2-yl tetrazolate ligands is reported, along with their electrochemical, spectroscopic and theoretical characterization. The corresponding dye-sensitized solar cell devices were prepared, leading to 3.4% conversion efficiency, promising data, considering the simplicity of the ligands and the high chemical stability of the complexes.

Novel heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes: synthesis, characterization and application in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Six new heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes (MC118, MC120-123 and MC126), of general formula Ru(L1)(L2)(NCS)2, where L1 and L2 are respectively dicarboxylated and π-conjugated functionalized (dissymmetric) bipyridine ligands, were designed, synthesized and applied as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. These complexes were characterized both experimentally and theoretically, showing promising optical properties, with higher extinction coefficients compared to the prototypical N719 dye. When employed in working devices, in combination with a liquid I(-)/I3(-) redox electrolyte, the investigated sensitizers have shown power conversion efficiencies between 6.0 and 8.0%, comparable with the reference N719 dye tested under similar fabrication and evaluation conditions.

Thiocyanate-free ruthenium(II) sensitizer with a pyrid-2-yltetrazolate ligand for dye-sensitized solar cells.

The synthesis of the new complex [Ru(Tetrazpy)(dcbpy)2]Cl is reported, along with its spectroscopical, electrochemical, and theoretical characterization. The first dye-sensitized solar cell device with this complex has been prepared, leading to a 3% of conversion efficiency, promising data considering the simplicity of the Tetrazpy ligand.