New terpyridine-based ruthenium complexes for dye sensitized solar cells applications

•All three sensitizers showed higher molar extinction coefficients compared to N749.•We have evaluated these sensitizers for DSSCs with CDCA and Without CDCA.•MC124 exhibited high power conversion efficiency of 2.3%.•The experimental parameters are in good agreement with theoretical data.

Three new terpyridine-based ruthenium complexes, named as MC124, MC125 and MC127, were synthesized and employed as sensitizers in dye sensitized solar cells. The MC dyes were characterized with experimental techniques followed by theoretical calculations. The promising optical properties with higher molar extinction coefficients compared to N749 prototypical dye, and suitable positioning of energy levels prompted us to employ these dyes in working devices. When used in conjunction with liquid I−/I3− redox electrolyte, the MC dyes have shown modest performances, with a maximum PCE of 2.3% reached with MC124 in combination of CDCA used as co-adsorbent.

Graphical abstractHere we report three new ruthenium terpyridine complexes with and without thiocyanate for the application in dye sensitized solar cells. Here the terpyridinic acid ligand acts as an anchoring group. Sensitizer MC124 found to be more efficient compared to MC125 and MC127.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide