Bis(1,10-phenanthroline) copper complexes with tailored molecular architecture: from electrochemical features to application as redox mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells

Artificial Photosynthesis: Current Advancements and Future Prospects

Artificial photosynthesis is a technology with immense potential that aims to emulate the natural photosynthetic process. The process of natural photosynthesis involves the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, which is stored in organic compounds. Catalysis is an essential aspect of artificial photosynthesis, as it facilitates the reactions that convert solar energy into chemical energy. In this review, we aim to provide an extensive overview of recent developments in the field of artificial photosynthesis by catalysis. We will discuss the various catalyst types used in artificial photosynthesis, including homogeneous catalysts, heterogeneous catalysts, and biocatalysts. Additionally, we will explore the different strategies employed to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic reactions, such as the utilization of nanomaterials, photoelectrochemical cells, and molecular engineering. Lastly, we will examine the challenges and opportunities of this technology as well as its potential applications in areas such as renewable energy, carbon capture and utilization, and sustainable agriculture. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of state-of-the-art methods in artificial photosynthesis by catalysis, as well as to identify key research directions for future advancements in this field.

Photoactive Copper Complexes: Properties and Applications

Photocatalyzed and photosensitized chemical processes have seen growing interest recently and have become among the most active areas of chemical research, notably due to their applications in fields such as medicine, chemical synthesis, material science or environmental chemistry. Among all homogeneous catalytic systems reported to date, photoactive copper(I) complexes have been shown to be especially attractive, not only as alternative to noble metal complexes, and have been extensively studied and utilized recently. They are at the core of this review article which is divided into two main sections. The first one focuses on an exhaustive and comprehensive overview of the structural, photophysical and electrochemical properties of mononuclear copper(I) complexes, typical examples highlighting the most critical structural parameters and their impact on the properties being presented to enlighten future design of photoactive copper(I) complexes. The second section is devoted to their main areas of application (photoredox catalysis of organic reactions and polymerization, hydrogen production, photoreduction of carbon dioxide and dye-sensitized solar cells), illustrating their progression from early systems to the current state-of-the-art and showcasing how some limitations of photoactive copper(I) complexes can be overcome with their high versatility.

Recent Investigations on Thiocyanate-Free Ruthenium(II) 2,2'-Bipyridyl Complexes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Three decades ago, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a method for harnessing the energy of the sun and for converting it into electricity. Since then, a lot of work has been devoted to create better global photovoltaic efficiencies and long term stability. Among photosensitizers for DSSCs, thiocyanate-free ruthenium(II) complexes have gained increasing interest due to their better stability compared to conventional thiocyanate-based complexes, such as benchmark dyes N719 and Z907. In this mini-review, two classes of thiocyanate-free Ru(II) complexes are presented: (a) bis-bipyridyl compounds bearing an ancillary cyclometalating bidentate ligand; (b) bipyridyl compounds bearing non-cyclometalating ancillary ligands. The coverage, mainly from 2014 up to now, is not exhaustive, but illustrates the most recent design strategies and photovoltaic properties of these two families of ruthenium(II) dyes.

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.

Copper Complexes as Alternative Redox Mediators in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Thirty years ago, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a method for harnessing the sun's energy and converting it into electricity. Since then, a lot of work has been dedicated to improving their global photovoltaic efficiency and their eco-sustainability. Recently, various articles showed the great potential of copper complexes as a convenient and cheap alternative to the traditional ruthenium dyes. In addition, copper complexes demonstrate that they can act as redox mediators for DSSCs, thus being an answer to the problems related to the I₃^-/I^- redox couple. The aim of this review is to report on the most recent impact made by copper complexes as alternative redox mediators. The coverage, mainly from 2016 up to now, is not exhaustive, but allows us to understand the great role played by copper complexes in the design of eco-sustainable DSSCs.

New examples of Ru(II)-tetrazolato complexes as thiocyanate-free sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

A set of three new Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes decorated with 5-aryl tetrazolato ligands (R-CN4)-, (D series, namely D1, D3 and D4), is presented herein. Whereas complex D1 represents the pyrazinyl tetrazolato analogue of a previously reported Ru(ii) complex (D2) with the general formula cis-[(dcbpy)2Ru(N^N)]+, in which dcbpy is 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid and N^N is the chelating 2-pyridyl tetrazolato anion, the design of the unprecedented Ru(ii) species D3 and D4 relied upon a completely different architecture. More specifically, the molecular structure of thiocyanate-based species cis-[(dcbpy)2Ru(NCS)2], that is typically found in benchmark Ru(ii) dyes for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSCs), was modified with the replacement of two of the -NCS ligands in favour of the introduction of 5-aryl tetrazolato anions, such as the deprotonated form of 5-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-tetrazole, for complex D3 and 5-(4-cyanophenyl)-1H-tetrazole in the case of complex D4. To streamline the behavior of the D series of Ru(ii) complexes as photosensitizers for DSSCs, an in-depth analysis of the excited state properties of D1, D3 and D4 was performed through TDDFT calculations and TDAS (nanosecond transient difference absorption spectroscopy). The obtained results highlight a trend that was confirmed once D1, D3 and D4 were tested as photosensitizers for DSSC under different conditions. Along the series of the Ru(ii) complexes, the neutrally charged species D3 and D4 displayed the best photovoltaic performances.

Metal Coordination Complexes as Redox Mediators in Regenerative Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted a substantial interest in the last 30 years for the conversion of solar power to electricity. An important component is the redox mediator effecting the transport of charge between the photoelectrode and the dark counter electrode (CE). Among the possible mediators, metal coordination complexes play a prominent role and at present are incorporated in several types of devices with a power conversion efficiency exceeding 10%. The present review, after a brief introduction to the operation of DSSCs, discusses at first the requirements for a successful mediator. Subsequently, the properties of various classes of inorganic coordination complexes functioning as mediators relevant to DSSC operation are presented and the operational characteristics of DSSC devices analyzed. Particular emphasis is paid to the two main classes of efficient redox mediators, the coordination complexes of cobalt and copper; however other less efficient but promising classes of mediators, notably complexes of iron, nickel, manganese and vanadium, are also presented.

Towards efficient sustainable full-copper dye-sensitized solar cells

Two new heteroleptic copper(i) sensitizers bearing 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dibenzoic acid, to anchor the dye on the titania surface, and a π-delocalized 2-(R-phenyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole (R = NPh2 or O-hexyl) ancillary ligand were prepared and well characterized. Their performance as dyes in DSSCs is quite similar to that of the related complex bearing 2,9-dimesityl-1,10-phenanthroline as an ancillary ligand, when using the common I-/I3- redox couple or homoleptic copper complexes as electron shuttles. The experimental results along with theoretical calculations confirm the great potential of full-copper DSSCs.

Improving the efficiency of copper-dye-sensitized solar cells by manipulating the electrolyte solution

The use of a copper(i) dye, bearing a 2,9-dimesityl-1,10-phenanthroline and a 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dibenzoic acid, was investigated in DSSCs with various electrolyte solutions based on two different redox mediators, namely the common I-/I3- couple and an interesting copper electron shuttle. The experimental results provide evidence of the importance of the redox mediator concentration and the crucial role of additives such as 4-tert-butylpyridine and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in the performance of sustainable "full-copper" DSSCs, consolidating the way to DSSCs with Earth-abundant components.