Synthesis of a novel dinuclear ruthenium polypyridine dye for dye-sensitized solar cells application

A new dinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridine complex has been successfully synthesized. The new compound has been characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Its potential application as a sensitizing dye in dye-sensitized solar cells has been checked under AM 1.5 G irradiation conditions (100 mW cm−2) and its performance was compared to that of a commercially available mononuclear analogous dye. The overall light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic device sensitized by the new dinuclear dye has been found to be over 2.5 times lower than that sensitized by the commercial analogue, despite a much higher extinction coefficient of the former dye. The probable reasons for the lower photovoltaic activity are discussed.

Graphical abstractA novel dinuclear ruthenium complex has been successfully synthesized and used as a sensitizing dye in DSSC, giving Jsc = 1.01 mA cm−2, Voc = 520 mV and η = 0.32%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide