Blue Copper Model Complexes with Distorted Tetragonal Geometry Acting as Effective Electron-Transfer Mediators in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Top Cited Papers
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The electron self-exchange rate constants of blue copper model complexes, [(−)-sparteine-N,N‘](maleonitriledithiolato-S,S‘)copper ([Cu(SP)(mmt)])0/-, bis(2,9-dimethy-1,10-phenanthroline)copper ([Cu(dmp)2]2+/+), and bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper ([Cu(phen)2]2+/+) have been determined from the rate constants of electron transfer from a homologous series of ferrocene derivatives to the copper(II) complexes in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer. The resulting electron self-exchange rate constant increases in the order: [Cu(phen)2]2+/+ < [Cu(SP)(mmt)]0/- < [Cu(dmp)2]2+/+, in agreement with the order of the smaller structural change between the copper(II) and copper(I) complexes due to the distorted tetragonal geometry. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were constructed using the copper complexes as redox couples to compare the photoelectrochemical responses with those using the conventional I3-/I- couple. The light energy conversion efficiency (η) values under illumination of simulated solar light irradiation (100 mW/cm2) of DSSCs using [Cu(phen)2]2+/+, [Cu(dmp)2]2+/+, and [Cu(SP)(mmt)]0/- were recorded as 0.1%, 1.4%, and 1.3%, respectively. The maximum η value (2.2%) was obtained for a DSSC using the [Cu(dmp)2]2+/+ redox couple under the light irradiation of 20 mW/cm2 intensity, where a higher open-circuit voltage of the cell was attained as compared to that of the conventional I3-/I- couple.

This publication has 61 references indexed in Scilit: