Optimizing small conjugated molecules for solar-cell applications using an inverse-design method

Screening potential dye sensitizers for water splitting photocatalysts using a genetic algorithm

Addressing the global fossil energy crisis necessitates the efficient utilization of sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen, a green fuel, can be generated using sunlight, water, and a photocatalyst. Employing sensitizers holds promise for enhancing photocatalyst performance, enabling high rates of hydrogen evolution through increased visible light absorption. However, sifting through millions of diverse molecules to identify suitable dyes for specific photocatalysts poses a significant challenge. In this study, we integrate genetic algorithm and geometry-frequency-noncovalent extended tight binding methods to efficiently screen 2.6 million potential sensitizers with a D-π-A-π-AA structure within a short timeframe. Subsequently, these optimized sensitizers are rigorously reassessed by using DFT/TDDFT methods, elucidating why they may serve as superior dyes compared to the reference dye WS5F, particularly in terms of light absorption, driving force, binding energy, etc. Additionally, our methodology uncovers molecular motifs of particular interest, including the furan π-bridge and the double cyano anchoring acceptor, which are prevalent in the most promising set of molecules. The developed genetic algorithm workflow and dye design principles can be extended to various compelling projects, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, organic photovoltaics, photo-induced redox reactions, pharmaceuticals, and beyond.

Theoretical design of D-π-A system new dyes candidate for DSSC application

Currently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are one of the energy technologies that has piqued the interest of researchers, due to their distinct characteristics such as excellent air stability, ease of synthesis and photovoltaic properties interesting. This work aims to study the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic of six organic dyes based on phenothiazine (PTZ). The effects of bridging core modifications of recently synthesized PSB-4(R) molecule on structural, photovoltaic, electronic, and optical properties of D1-D6 are studied. Using the method Density Functional Theory (DFT) level of the B3LYP (Becke three-parameter Lee-Yang-Parr) exchange correlation functional with 6-31G (d, p) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). According to the obtained results, optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic of the dyes, we can suggest that these designed molecules are better sensitizers as a candidate for the production of dye solar cells (DSSCs). This theoretical study paves the way for chemists to synthesize more efficient sensitizers for applications in dye solar cells.