Synthesis and Photovoltaic Performance of NIR Absorption Dyes for the Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

NIR 흡수 염료를 이용한 염료감응형 태양전지

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a device for the conversion of visible light into electricity, based on the sensitization of wide bandgap semiconductors. The performance of the cell mainly depends on a dye used as sensitizer. The absorption spectrum of the dye and the anchorage of the dye to the surface of TiO2 are important parameters determining the efficiency of the cell. Generally, transition metal coordination compounds(ruthenium polypyridyl complexes) are used as the effective sensitizers, due to their intense charge-transfer absorption in the whole visible range and highly efficient metal-to ligand charge transfer. However, ruthenium polypyridyl complexes contain a heavy metal, which is undesirable from point of view of the environmental aspects. Moreover, the process to synthesize the complexes is complicated and costly. Alternatively, organic dyes can be used for the same purpose with an acceptable efficiency. The advantages of organic dyes include their availability and low cost. We designed and synthesized a series of organic sensitizers containing long wavelength absorption-chromophores for the dye sensitized solar cell. The DSSC composed of Blue-chromophores for the sensitization absorbed long wavelength region which is different also applied into the dye-cocktail (mixing) system. The photovoltaic property of DSSCs organic long wavelength absorption-chromophores were measured and evaluated by comparison with that of individual chromophores.