Pyridinium p-DSSC Dyes: An old acceptor learns new tricks

Marri, Anil, Black, Fiona, Mallows, John, Gibson, Elizabeth and Fielden, John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5963-7792 (2019) Pyridinium p-DSSC Dyes: An old acceptor learns new tricks. Dyes and Pigments, 165. pp. 508-517.

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Abstract

A family of six (five new) thiophenyl bridged triarylamine-donor based dyes with pyridine anchoring groups have been synthesized and studied as sensitizers for the p-type dye-sensitized solar cell (p-DSSC). They comprise bis-dicyano acceptor systems with a single pyridyl binder incorporated directly into the triarylamine (1), or separated by a phenyl group (2); a mono-dicyano with two phenyl pyridine binders (3); and respective homologues 4 to 6 with pyridinium acceptors. In all cases, compared to their dicyano counterparts, the pyridinium based dyes have higher extinction coefficients and smaller HOMO-LUMO gaps that give broader spectrum absorption. Thus, despite lower dye uptake, devices based on pyridiniums 4 and 6 have identical power conversion efficiencies (η) to the equivalent dicyano systems 1 and 3. However, the best performing device (η = 0.06%) is based on the known bis-acceptor dicyano system 2, as the large size and double positive charge of 5 leads to a substantial disadvantage in loading on NiO. Absorbed-photon-to-current efficiencies for 5 are competitive with or higher than those of 2, implying a better per dye performance consistent with the absorption profile, and DFT calculations suggesting better charge separation. Thus, pyridiniums may provide a new, and easily accessible high performance acceptor for p-DSSC dyes, but are likely better paired with anionic binding groups such as carboxylates.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Open access status of this article is currently being determined by RIN. In the meantime it is uploaded with publishers green open access embargo period of 24 months.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Chemistry of Materials and Catalysis Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Chemistry of Light and Energy Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Energy Materials Laboratory
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2019 12:30
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 04:32
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/70180
DOI:	10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.02.044

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