Cyclic thiourea functionalized dyes with binary π-linkers: Influence of different π-conjugation segments on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Shengbo; An, Zhongwei; Chen, Xinbing; Chen, Pei; Liu, Qianfeng
• Is Part Of: Dyes and pigments. Volume 116(2015)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Cyclic thiourea -- Dye-sensitized solar cells -- Binary π-linker -- Thiophene -- Thienothiophene -- 3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene; Dyes and dyeing -- Periodicals; Pigments -- Periodicals; 667.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2015.01.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7208

Abstract

Abstract: A series of cyclic thiourea functionalized dyes containing binary π-linkers were synthesized and applied in the dye-sensitized solar cells. The only difference of these dyes is that one segment of the binary π-linkers is thiophene, n -hexylthiophene, thienothiophene, 3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene, and benzene, respectively. Among them, the dyes incorporating electron-rich thienothiophene or 3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene exhibit the broader absorption bands and higher molar extinction coefficients in the visible region, which can not only enhance the light-harvesting ability but also improve the short-circuit current density; on the other hand, the dyes bearing bulky n -hexylthiophene or 3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene can effectively suppress the intermolecular π–π aggregation and electron recombination owing to larger steric hindrance, which is beneficial to increase the open-circuit voltage. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A series of cyclic thiourea functionalized dyes containing binary π-linkers were synthesized for DSSCs. Increase of short-circuit current by introducing electron-rich segments and broadening absorption band. Increase of open-circuit voltage by increasing steric hindrance. Binary π-linker bearing 3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene-thiophene shows both large steric hindrance and good conjugated coplanarity.