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Liu T, Yang C, Song P, Ma F, Li Y. Study of the microscopic mechanism of stepwise charge injection in co-sensitive DSSCs in the framework of a D-π-A dye and chlorophyll. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:3424-3440. [PMID: 38205563 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03664b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The newly synthesized dye molecules TY6 and CXC22 were selected to explain the influence of anthracene and acetylene groups on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the molecules at the microscopic level. Theoretical simulation was carried out to understand the properties of the two molecules, including frontier molecular orbitals, absorption spectra, light absorption efficiency, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), dye regeneration, I-V prediction, etc. The results suggest that for CXC22, adding an anthracene and acetylene group in the conjugate bridge greatly enhances the molecule's absorption wavelength and molar extinction coefficient; CXC22 also has significant advantages in the intramolecular charge transfer and comparatively better dye regeneration and electron injection. These parameters cause CXC22 to have a higher PCE. Subsequently, CXC22 and the chlorophyll molecule (CHL7) were selected for co-sensitization to regulate performance. The stable structure in the co-sensitization configuration was screened, and the absorption spectrum characteristics and charge transfer mechanisms were revealed for the co-sensitization system. The designed evaluation model predicted that the PCE of CO1 (the cosensitive system of CXC22 and TY6 in H-H configuration is referred to as CO1) could reach 16.78%. This work provides an idea for developing an efficient dye-sensitized solar cell system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- College of Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040 Harbin, China.
| | - Canpu Yang
- College of Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040 Harbin, China.
| | - Peng Song
- Department of Physics, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, Liaoning, China.
| | - Fengcai Ma
- Department of Physics, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yuanzuo Li
- College of Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040 Harbin, China.
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2
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Kaya S, Thakur A, Kumar A. The role of in Silico/DFT investigations in analyzing dye molecules for enhanced solar cell efficiency and reduced toxicity. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 124:108536. [PMID: 37300949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108536] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Toxicity has been a significant concern for many materials used in the production of solar cells and generally conflicts with its efficacy. Therefore, it is crucial to develop alternative, non-toxic materials to improve the sustainability and safety of solar cell technology. In recent years, computational methods such as Conceptual density functional theory (CDFT) have been increasingly used to study the electronic structure and optical properties of toxic molecules such as dyes, with the goal of designing and modifying these molecules to enhance solar cell efficiency and reduce toxicity. By applying CDFT-based chemical reactivity parameters and electronic structure rules, researchers can gain valuable insights into the performance of solar cells and optimize their design accordingly. In silico studies have been used to screen and design non-toxic dye molecules, which can improve the sustainability and safety of solar cell technology. This review article discusses the applications of CDFT in the analysis of toxic dye molecules for use in solar cells. This review also highlights the importance of using alternative, non-toxic materials in the production of solar cells. The review also discusses the limitations of CDFT and in silico studies and their potential for future research. Finally, the article concludes by emphasizing the potential of in silico/DFT investigations for accelerating the discovery of new and efficient dye molecules for enhancing solar cells' efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savaş Kaya
- Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Health Services Vocational School, Department of Pharmacy, 58140, Sivas, Turkey.
| | - Abhinay Thakur
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- NCE, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Bihar, India
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3
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Revealing the photoelectric performance and multistep electron transfer mechanism in D-A-π-A dyes coupled with a chlorophyll derivative for co-sensitized solar cells. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ashraf S, Su R, Akhtar J, Shuja A, Siddiqi HM, El-Shafei A. Molecular engineering of ruthenium-based photosensitizers with superior photovoltaic performance in DSSCs: novel N-alkyl 2-phenylindole-based ancillary ligands. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04362e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report the design and successful synthesis of two new heteroleptic polypyridyl Ru(ii) complexes (SD-5 and SD-6), by incorporating hetero-aromatic electron-donating N-alkyl-2-phenylindole moieties into the ancillary ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Ashraf
- Polymer and Color Chemistry Program & Fiber and Polymer Science Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
- Centre for Advanced Electronics and Photovoltaic Engineering (CAEPE), International Islamic University, Sector H-10, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rui Su
- Polymer and Color Chemistry Program & Fiber and Polymer Science Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Javeed Akhtar
- Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur 10250 (AJK), Pakistan
| | - Ahmed Shuja
- Centre for Advanced Electronics and Photovoltaic Engineering (CAEPE), International Islamic University, Sector H-10, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Humaira M. Siddiqi
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed El-Shafei
- Polymer and Color Chemistry Program & Fiber and Polymer Science Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
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Yang C, Song P, El-Shishtawy RM, Ma F, Li Y. Photovoltaic performance and power conversion efficiency prediction of double fence porphyrins. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:27042-27058. [PMID: 34847208 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp03593b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
To explore high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), two experimentally derived (single fence and double fence porphyrins) and two theoretically designed zinc porphyrin molecules with D-D-π-A-A configurations were studied. Density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory were employed to simulate these two experimental dyes and dye@TiO2 systems to understand why the double fence porphyrin molecule exhibits better photovoltaic performance than the single fence porphyrin molecule. For the short-circuit current (JSC), the various parameters that affected the experimental magnitude of JSC were analyzed from different aspects of absorption, charge transfer and chemical parameters as well as an electron injection process. The almost equal open-circuit voltages (VOC) in the experiment were predicted by theoretical VOC calculations. Our model predicted power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 1.993% and 10.866% for the single and double fence molecules, respectively, which are in accordance with the experimental values of 3.48% and 10.69%, respectively. In addition, one designed two new molecules based on the double fence porphyrin molecule with a 2-methyl-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole (BTA) unit bearing one fluorine and two fluorine atoms as the guest acceptor, respectively. Compared to the original molecules, the engineered molecules significantly improved the photovoltaic parameters, JSC and VOC, thereby causing excellent PCEs. The most outstanding designed molecule reached a PCE of 12.155%, and is considered a candidate dye for high-efficiency DSSC. This study provides insights into the photoelectric properties of single and double fence porphyrins. It also demonstrated that the strong electron-withdrawing ability of fluorine atoms would enhance the photovoltaic performance and provide a guideline for the further design of double fence porphyrins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canpu Yang
- College of Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Peng Song
- Department of Physics, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, Liaoning, China.
| | - Reda M El-Shishtawy
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fengcai Ma
- Department of Physics, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yuanzuo Li
- College of Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China.
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Slodek A, Gnida P, Małecki JG, Szafraniec-Gorol G, Chulkin P, Vasylieva M, Nycz J, Libera M, Schab-Balcerzak E. New Benzo[ h]quinolin-10-ol Derivatives as Co-sensitizers for DSSCs. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14123386. [PMID: 34207294 PMCID: PMC8234456 DOI: 10.3390/ma14123386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
New benzo[h]quinolin-10-ol derivatives with one or two 2-cyanoacrylic acid units were synthesized with a good yield in a one-step condensation reaction. Chemical structure and purity were confirmed using NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, respectively. The investigation of their thermal, electrochemical and optical properties was carried out based on differential scanning calorimetry, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption and photoluminescence measurements. The analysis of the optical, electrochemical and properties was supported by density functional theory studies. The synthesized molecules were applied in dye-sensitized solar cells as sensitizers and co-sensitizers with commercial N719. The thickness and surface morphology of prepared photoanodes was studied using optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopes. Due to the utilization of benzo[h]quinolin-10-ol derivatives as co-sensitizers, the better photovoltaic performance of fabricated devices compared to a reference cell based on a neat N719 was demonstrated. Additionally, the effect of co-adsorbent chemical structure (cholic acid, deoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid) on DSSC efficiency was explained based on the density functional theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Slodek
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Str., 40-006 Katowice, Poland; or (A.S.); (J.G.M.); (G.S.-G.); , (M.L.)
| | - Paweł Gnida
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 M. Curie-Skłodowska Str., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (P.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Jan Grzegorz Małecki
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Str., 40-006 Katowice, Poland; or (A.S.); (J.G.M.); (G.S.-G.); , (M.L.)
| | - Grażyna Szafraniec-Gorol
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Str., 40-006 Katowice, Poland; or (A.S.); (J.G.M.); (G.S.-G.); , (M.L.)
| | - Pavel Chulkin
- Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 9 Strzody Str., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland;
| | - Marharyta Vasylieva
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 M. Curie-Skłodowska Str., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (P.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Jacek Nycz
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Str., 40-006 Katowice, Poland; or (A.S.); (J.G.M.); (G.S.-G.); , (M.L.)
| | - Marcin Libera
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Str., 40-006 Katowice, Poland; or (A.S.); (J.G.M.); (G.S.-G.); , (M.L.)
| | - Ewa Schab-Balcerzak
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, 9 Szkolna Str., 40-006 Katowice, Poland; or (A.S.); (J.G.M.); (G.S.-G.); , (M.L.)
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 M. Curie-Skłodowska Str., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (P.G.); (M.V.)
- Correspondence: or
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Impact of TiO 2 Nanostructures on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Performance. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14071633. [PMID: 33810602 PMCID: PMC8036646 DOI: 10.3390/ma14071633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effect of TiO2 nanostructures such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes on photoanode properties, and dye-sensitized solar cells photovoltaic parameters were studied. The series of dye-sensitized solar cells based on two dyes, that is, commercially N719 and synthesized 3,7'-bis(2-cyano-1-acrylic acid)-10-ethyl-phenothiazine were tested. Additionally, the devices containing a mixture of this sensitizer and chenodeoxycholic acid as co-adsorbent were fabricated. The amount of adsorbed dye molecules to TiO2 was evaluated. The prepared photoanodes with different TiO2 nanostructures were investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, optical, atomic force, and scanning electron microscopes. Photovoltaic response of constructed devices was examined based on current-voltage characteristics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. It was found that the highest UV-Vis absorption exhibited the photoanode with nanotubes addition. This indicates the highest number of sensitizer molecules anchored to the titanium dioxide photoanode, which was subsequently confirmed by dye-loading tests. The highest power conversion efficiency was (6.97%) for solar cell containing nanotubes and a mixture of the dyes with a co-adsorbent.
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Su R, Lyu L, Elmorsy MR, El-Shafei A. Structural studies and photovoltaic investigation of indolo[2,3- b]quinoxaline-based sensitizers/co-sensitizers achieving highly efficient DSSCs. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj04456f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Novel organic sensitizers were designed and synthesized by employing indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline (IQ) as the main building block. IPCE graphs indicated that both competition and compensation of photon harvesting co-exist during the co-sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Su
- Polymer and Color Chemistry Program & Fiber and Polymer Science Program
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | - Luping Lyu
- Polymer and Color Chemistry Program & Fiber and Polymer Science Program
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
- Linjiang College
| | - Mohamed R. Elmorsy
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science
- Mansoura University
- Mansoura
- Egypt
| | - Ahmed El-Shafei
- Polymer and Color Chemistry Program & Fiber and Polymer Science Program
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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9
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Irfan A. Comparison of mono- and di-substituted triphenylamine and carbazole based sensitizers @(TiO2)38 cluster for dye-sensitized solar cells applications. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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