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Tommalieh MJ, Aljameel AI, Hussein RK, Al-heuseen K, Alghamdi SK, Alrub SA. The Effect of Conjugated Nitrile Structures as Acceptor Moieties on the Photovoltaic Properties of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: DFT and TD-DFT Investigation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7138. [PMID: 39000245 PMCID: PMC11241837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in improving the overall efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells is improving the optoelectronic properties of small molecule acceptors. This work primarily investigated the effects of conjugation in nitriles incorporated as acceptor moieties into a newly designed series of D-A-A dyes. Density functional theory was employed to specifically study how single-double and single-triple conjugation in nitriles alters the optical and electronic properties of these dyes. The Cy-4c dye with a highly conjugated nitrile unit attained the smallest band gap (1.80 eV), even smaller than that of the strong cyanacrylic anchor group (2.07 eV). The dyes lacking conjugation in nitrile groups did not contribute to the LUMO, while LUMOs extended from donors to conjugated nitrile components, facilitating intramolecular charge transfer and causing a strong bind to the film surface. Density of state analysis revealed a considerable impact of conjugated nitrile on the electronic properties of dyes through an effective contribution in the LUMO, exceeding the role of the well-known strong 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole acceptor unit. The excited state properties and the absorption spectra were investigated using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Conjugation in the nitrile unit caused the absorption band to broaden, strengthen, and shift toward the near-infrared region. The proposed dyes also showed optimum photovoltaic properties; all dyes possess high light-harvesting efficiency (LHE) values, specifically 96% for the dyes Cy-3b and Cy-4c, which had the most conjugated nitrile moieties. The dyes with higher degrees of conjugation had longer excitation lifetime values, which promote charge transfer by causing steady charge recombination at the interface. These findings may provide new insights into the structure of conjugated nitriles and their function as acceptor moieties in DSSCS, which may lead to the development of extremely effective photosensitizers for solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha J. Tommalieh
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Madinah 44256, Saudi Arabia; (M.J.T.); (S.K.A.)
| | - Abdulaziz I. Aljameel
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia; (A.I.A.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Rageh K. Hussein
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia; (A.I.A.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Khalled Al-heuseen
- Department of Applied Science, Ajloun University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Ajloun 26873, Jordan;
- Qatar Aeronautical Academy, Doha 4050, Qatar
| | - Suzan K. Alghamdi
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Madinah 44256, Saudi Arabia; (M.J.T.); (S.K.A.)
| | - Sharif Abu Alrub
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia; (A.I.A.); (S.A.A.)
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Sundaram GA, Anbalagan K, Wadaan MA, Rajamoni J, Karthikeyan V. Unveiling photoinduced electron transfer in cobalt(iii)-R-pyridine complexes anchored to anatase nanocrystals: photoluminescence and magnetic studies. RSC Adv 2024; 14:17218-17233. [PMID: 38808249 PMCID: PMC11131157 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02648a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we synthesized mixed ligand complexes of the cis-[Co(tn)2(Rpy)Br]Br2 type using a novel mechanochemical approach. Characterization involved spectral measurements and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, confirming the structure of the cis-[Co(tn)2(4-Mepy)Br]Br2 complex. The single crystal refinement data revealed a monoclinic crystal system with a distorted octahedral geometry. The choice of the sixth ligand influenced the emission and magnetic properties, showing a ferromagnetic character in the Co(iii)-complex environment. We investigated efficient electron transfer to the cobalt(iii) center using TiO2 nanoparticles under UV-light irradiation. The adsorption characteristics of cis-[Co(tn)2(Rpy)Br]Br2 in aqueous 2-propanol varied, leading to surface compound formation. Under UV irradiation, the anatase surface exhibited remarkable adsorption capabilities, facilitating efficient electron transfer to the Co(iii) center and resulting in a high photoefficiency for Co(ii) formation. Our study has put forward a model for interfacial electron transfer (IET), taking into account the overlap between the TiO2 conduction band and the acceptor level of the Co center, as well as the electronic coupling between the donor level of the Ti center and the acceptor level of the Co center. This model sheds light on the accumulation of electrons for reducing the adhered complex ion. The IET process was corroborated by the conversion of 2-propanol into acetone, as verified by 1H NMR technique. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the role of the Rpy moiety in modifying the structure of the TiO2-cobalt(iii)-Rpy compound and propose a mechanism for IET reactions, thus advancing the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganeshraja Ayyakannu Sundaram
- Department of Research Analytics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Poonamallee High Road Chennai Tamil Nadu 600 077 India
| | | | - Mohammad Ahmad Wadaan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University P. O. Box. 2455 Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Jagan Rajamoni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Missouri St. Louis MO 63121 USA
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Tropea A, Spadaro D, Trocino S, Giuffrida D, Salerno TMG, Ruiz-Sanchez JP, Montañez J, Morales-Oyervides L, Dufossé L, Mondello L, Calogero G. Development of dye-sensitized solar cells using pigment extracts produced by Talaromyces atroroseus GH2. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:941-955. [PMID: 38643418 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00566-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
The identification of more efficient, clean, secure, and competitive energy supply is necessary to align with the needs of sustainable devices. For this reason, a study for developing innovative dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on microbial pigments is reported starting from Talaromyces atroroseus GH2. The fungus was cultivated by fermentation and the extracellular pigment extract was characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analyses. The most abundant compound among the 22 azaphilone-type pigments identified was represented by PP-O. The device's behavior was investigated in relation to electrolyte and pH for verifying the stability on time and the photovoltaic performance. Devices obtained were characterized by UV-vis measurements to verify the absorbance intensity and transmittance percentage. Moreover, photovoltaic parameters through photo-electrochemical measurements (I-V curves) and impedance characteristics by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were determined. The best microbial device showed a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 0.69 mA/cm2, an open-circuit photo-voltage (Voc) of 0.27 V and a Fill Factor (FF) of 0.60. Furthermore, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device was 0.11%. Thus, the present study demonstrated the potential of microbial origin pigments for developing DSSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Tropea
- Messina Institute of Technology c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Viale G. Palatucci Snc, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Donatella Spadaro
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes (IPCF)- National Research Council - Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, N. 37, 98158, Messina, Italy.
| | - Stefano Trocino
- Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies "Nicola Giordano" (ITAE) - National Research Council (CNR), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse, N. 5, 98126, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniele Giuffrida
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Tania Maria Grazia Salerno
- Messina Institute of Technology c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Viale G. Palatucci Snc, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Juan Pablo Ruiz-Sanchez
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Unidad Saltillo, 25280, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Julio Montañez
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Unidad Saltillo, 25280, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Morales-Oyervides
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Unidad Saltillo, 25280, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Laurent Dufossé
- CHEMBIOPRO Laboratoire de Chimie Et Biotechnologie Des Produits Naturels, ESIROI Agroalimentaire, Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, 97400, Saint-Denis, Ile de La Réunion, France
| | - Luigi Mondello
- Messina Institute of Technology c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Viale G. Palatucci Snc, 98168, Messina, Italy
- Chromaleont S.R.L., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Viale G. Palatucci Snc, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calogero
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes (IPCF)- National Research Council - Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, N. 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
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Almansour AI, Kumar RS, Al-Shemaimari KI, Arumugam N. Highly Efficient DSSCs Sensitized Using NIR Responsive Bacteriopheophytine-a and Its Derivatives Extracted from Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Photobacteria. Molecules 2024; 29:931. [PMID: 38474443 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29050931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Employing naturally extracted dyes and their derivatives as photosensitizers towards the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been recently emerging for establishing sustainable energy conversion devices. In this present work, Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Photobacteria (Rh. Sphaeroides) was used as a natural source from which Bacteriopheophytine-a (Bhcl) dye was extracted. Further, two cationic derivatives of Bhcl, viz., Guanidino-bacteriopheophorbide-a (Gua-Bhcl) and (2-aminoethyl)triphenylphosphono-bacteriopheophorbide-a (2AETPPh-Bhcl) were synthesized. The thus obtained Bhcl, Gua-Bhcl and 2AETPPh-Bhcl were characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and their photophysical properties were investigated using excitation and emission studies. All three near-infrared (NIR) responsive dyes were employed as natural sensitizers towards the construction of DSSC devices, using platinum as a photocathode, dye-sensitized P25-TiO2 as a photoanode and I-/I3- as an electrolyte. DSSCs fabricated using all three dyes have shown reasonably good photovoltaic performance, among which 2AETPPh-Bhcl dye has shown a relatively higher power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.38% with a short circuit photocurrent density (JSC) of 1.03 mA cm-2. This could be attributed to the dye's natural optimal light absorption in the visible and NIR region and uniform dispersion through the electrostatic interaction of the cationic derivatives on the TiO2 photoanode. Furthermore, the atomic force microscopy studies and electrochemical investigations using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Bode's plot also supported the enhancement in performance attained with 2AETPPh-Bhcl dye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman I Almansour
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raju Suresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Natarajan Arumugam
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Roy A, Jaffer Sadiq Mohamed M, Ashraf Gondal M, Mallick TK, Ali Tahir A, Sundraram S. Co-sensitization effect of N719 dye with Cu doped CdS colloidal nanoparticles for dye sensitized solar cells. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2022.110298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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