D-A-A-Type Organic Dyes for NiO-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Push-pull organic dyes and dye-catalyst assembly featuring a benzothiadiazole unit for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production

In this work, we report the design and the preparation of two new dyes and a molecular dyad for the photoelectrochemical hydrogen production from water in a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell (DSPEC). We designed dyes that include a benzothiadiazole (BTD) and an indacenodithiophene (IDT) units, and we obtained a new molecular dyad by covalent coupling with the cobalt diimine-dioxime catalyst. The introduction of the benzothiadiazole core in the structure improves the absorption properties and leads to an extension of the spectrum in the visible range up to 650 nm. The photoelectrochemical properties of the new dyad were evaluated on pristine and lithium-doped NiO electrodes. We demonstrate that increasing the light harvesting efficiency of the dyad by introducing a IDT-BTD chromophore is clearly beneficial for the photoelectrochemical activity. We also demonstrate that lithium doping of NiO, which improves the electronic conductivity of the mesoporous film, leads to a significant increase in performance, in terms of TON and F.E., more than doubled with our new dyad. This BTD-based molecular system outperforms the results of previously reported dyads using the same catalyst.

Dye-sensitized solar cells strike back

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are celebrating their 30th birthday and they are attracting a wealth of research efforts aimed at unleashing their full potential. In recent years, DSCs and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have experienced a renaissance as the best technology for several niche applications that take advantage of DSCs' unique combination of properties: at low cost, they are composed of non-toxic materials, are colorful, transparent, and very efficient in low light conditions. This review summarizes the advancements in the field over the last decade, encompassing all aspects of the DSC technology: theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications as solar cells and as drivers for the synthesis of solar fuels, and commercialization efforts from various companies.

Towards sustainable and efficient p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes for solar energy conversion

In order to meet the ever-growing global energy demand for affordable and clean energy, it is essential to provide this energy by renewable resources and consider the eco-efficiency of the production and abundance of the utilised materials. While this is seldom discussed in the case of technologies still in the research stage, addressing the issue of sustainability is key to push research in the right direction. Here we provide an overview of the current p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes, considering element abundance, synthetic methods and large scale fabrication as well as the underlying physical properties that are necessary for efficient solar harvesting devices.

Theoretical study on p-type D-π-A sensitizers with modified π-spacers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Based on a prototype sensitizer W2, we designed triarylamine-based p-type sensitizers W2-1 to W2-7 that contain modified π-spacers (π'), a π-spacer and two anchors. For W2-1 to W2-4, instead of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole in W2, thieno[3,4-b]-1,4-dioxin, thiophene, thieno[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadizole, thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole are π' and thiophene as π-spacer. For W2-5 to W2-8, π' and π are same, with 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, thieno[3,4-b]-1,4-dioxin, thieno[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazo, thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole, respectively, as the π'-spacers. Structure optimization, electronic level and absorption characters were calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311G (d,p). The solvent effect was involved using a polarized continuum model in chloroform. The results showed that the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital guarantee sufficient hole injection (lower than -0.2 eV), and dye regeneration (lower than -0.2 eV). W2-4 has higher light-harvesting efficiency (LHE) (0.994) and larger overlap with the visible light from 400 nm to 600 nm. Finally, the results suggest that the driving force of hole injection, dye regeneration and charge recombination (ΔG_inj, ΔG_reg and ΔG_CR) of W2-4 are the best, with more negative ΔG_inj (-4.33), ΔG_reg (-1.74) and more positive ΔG_CR (1.92). Replacing 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole with thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole as π'-spacers is a effective way to improve the performance of the dyes. An introduction of thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole group can improve the absorption ability and hinder charge recombination. Graphical abstract Absorption spectra of p-type D-π-A sensitizers with modified π-spacers.

Unveiling hole trapping and surface dynamics of NiO nanoparticles

The research effort in mesoporous p-type semiconductors is increasing due to their potential application in photoelectrochemical energy conversion devices. In this paper an electron-hole pair is created by band-gap excitation of NiO nanoparticles and the dynamics of the electron and the hole is followed until their recombination. By spectroscopic characterization it was found that surface Ni3+ states work as traps for both electrons and holes. The trapped electron was assigned to a Ni2+ state and the trapped hole to a "Ni4+" state positioned close to the valence band edge. The recombination kinetics of these traps was studied and related with the concept of hole relaxation suggested before. The time scale of the hole relaxation was found to be in the order of tens of ns. Finally the spectroscopic evidence of this relaxation is presented in a sensitized film.