1,1'-Bis-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene appended d8- and d10-configuration based thiosquarates: the molecular and electronic configurational insights into their sensitization and co-sensitization properties for dye sensitized solar cells

Three new d8- and d10-configuration based 1,1'-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) appended thiosquarates complexes with general composition [M(mtsq)2dppf] (M = Ni2+ (NiL2); Zn2+ (ZnL2) and Cd2+ (CdL2)) (mtsq = 3-ethoxycyclobutenedione-4-thiolate) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically as well as in case of NiL2 by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The single crystal X-ray analysis reveals square planar geometry around Ni(II) in NiL2, where Ni(II) coordinates with two sulfur centres of two mtsq ligands in monodentate fashion and two phosphorus of a dppf ligand in chelating mode. The supramolecular architecture of NiL2 is sustained by intermolecular C-H⋯O interactions to form one-dimensional chain. Further, the application of these newly synthesized complexes as sensitizers and co-sensitizers/co-absorbents with ruthenium based N719 sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been explored. The DSSC set-up based on NiL2 offers best photovoltaic performance with photovoltaic efficiency (η) 5.12%, short-circuit current (Jsc) 11.60 mA cm-2, open circuit potential (Voc) 0.690 V and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) 63%. In co-sensitized DSSC set-up, ZnL2 along with state-of-the-art N719 dye displays best photovoltaic performance with η 6.65%, Jsc 14.47 mA cm-2, Voc 0.729 V and IPCE 69%, thereby showing an improvement by 15.25% in photovoltaic efficiency in comparison to the photovoltaic efficiency of N719 sensitized DSSC set-up. Variation in co-sensitization behaviour have been ascribed to the differences in the excited state energy level of co-sensitizers. The ZnL2 and CdL2 have a higher energy level position than N719 dye, allowing efficient electron transfer to N719 during light irradiation, while excited state of NiL2 is lower than N719 dye, preventing photoexcited electron transfer to N719, resulting in its lowest overall efficiency among the three co-sensitized DSSC setups.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activities of New Schiff Base Compound and Its Lanthanide Complexes

The thermal condensation of 3-(2-Furyl)acrolein with 2-Amino-6-ethoxybenzothiazole generated a new Schiff base, (1E,2E)-N-(6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-imine (L), with general formula of C16H14N2O2S. Also, a series of lanthanide complexes of gadolinium, samarium, and neodymium (La–Lc) were synthesized utilizing acetonitrile as the solvent and triethylamine as a buffer and catalyst. Based on elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, and FTIR analysis, all of the Bis-(1E,2E)-N-(6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-iminetri-nitratolanthanide(III) complexes with the general formula [LnL2(NO3)3]·H2O are solids with a 2:1 molar ratio (ligand: metal). Based on conductivity estimates, they are nonelectrolytes and monoatomic paramagnetic according to the magnetic moment measurements, and one mole of lattice water was found after thermal gravimetric measurements and FTIR analysis. Therefore, the lanthanide complexes show a ten-coordination structure with a deformed bicapped square antiprismatic. The Schiff base and its complexes were screened for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Their antimicrobial and antifungal activities were strong, and they also produced good antioxidant and antitumor effects.

Sonication-assisted synthesis of a new cationic zinc nitrate complex with a tetradentate Schiff base ligand: Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and investigation of different parameters influence on morphological properties

A nanostructured cationic zinc nitrate complex with a formula of [ZnLNO₃]NO₃ (where L = (N²E,N^2'E)-N¹,N^1'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(N²-((E)-3-phenylallylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine)) was prepared by sonochemical process and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The X-ray analysis demonstrates the formation of a cationic complex that metal center is five-coordinated by four nitrogen atom from Schiff base ligand and one oxygen atom from nitrate group. The crystal packing analysis demonstrates the essential role of the nitrate groups in the organization of supramolecular structure. The morphology and size of ultrasound-assisted synthesized zinc nitrate complex have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) by changing parameters such as the concentration of initial reactants, the sonication power and reaction temperature. In addition the calcination of zinc nitrate complex in air atmosphere led to production of zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Synthesis and characterization of substituted Schiff-base ligands and their d10 metal complexes: structure-induced luminescence tuning behaviors and applications in co-sensitized solar cells

The structure-induced luminescence tuning behaviors of Schiff-base ligand based d¹⁰ metal complexes and their applications in co-sensitized solar cells.

Multifunctional Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) metal complexes for tunable luminescence properties and highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Complexes Zn1 and Cd1 exhibit tunable luminescence properties and they can serve as co-sensitizers to enhance the power-conversion efficiency.

N,N′-Bis((6-methoxylpyridin-2-yl)methylene)-p-phenylenediimine based d10 transition metal complexes and their utilization in co-sensitized solar cells

New d¹⁰ transition metal complexes of ZnL, CdL and HgL enhanced the performance of DSSCs by co-sensitization with N719.