Effect of anchoring groups on N-annulated perylene-based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalytic H2 evolution. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Fengtao; Cui, Shi-Cong; Li, Xing; Peng, Yueyi; Yu, Ying; Yun, Kang; Zhang, Shi-Cong; Li, Jing; Liu, Jin-Gang; Hua, Jianli
• Is Part Of: Dyes and pigments. Volume 139(2017)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: N-annulated perylene -- Anchoring groups -- Dye-sensitized solar cells -- Photocatalytic -- H2 evolution; Dyes and dyeing -- Periodicals; Pigments -- Periodicals; 667.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2016.12.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7208

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, two new D-A-π-A perylene dyes featuring with cyanoacrylic acid and 2-(1, 1-dicyanomethylene) rhodamine (DCRD) as the electron acceptor/anchoring group, respectively, in combination with a N-annulated perylene electron donor and a quinoxaline auxiliary acceptor were investigated for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and dye-sensitized photocatalytic hydrogen production. The results showed that the sensitizer with cyanoacrylic acid (YFT-1 ) based DSCs showed a higher conversion efficiency of 7.58% under AM1.5 solar conditions. However, it was interesting that the sensitizer with DCRD (YFT-2 ) sensitized Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts displayed a higher rate of H2 evolution of 83.5 μmol h −1 under visible-light irradiation with wavelength between 420 nm and 780 nm. This may be ascribed to less interface charge recombination and more effective interfacial electron transfer between photo-excitedYFT-2 and TiO2 in aqueous solution. This study demonstrates thatYFT-2 containing DCRD anchoring group is a promising candidate to achieve high and stable activity of H2 production. Graphical abstract: Two new perylene dyes (YFT-1 andYFT-2 ) were synthesized, in whichYFT-1 -based DSCs showed a higher conversion efficiency of 7.58% andYFT-2 sensitized Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts displayed a higher rate of H2 evolution of 83.5 μmol h −1 under visible-light irradiation (420 nm <λ < 780 nm). Importantly, photocatalysts based on the two sensitizers exhibited good photocatalytic activity under long-term illumination. Highlights: Two N-annulated perylene-based dyes were synthesized and characterized. YFT-1 -based DSCs showed a higher conversion efficiency of 7.58%. YFT-2 sensitized Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts displayed a higher rate of H2 evolution. The two sensitizers showed good stability under long-term irradiation.