A one-pot method for encapsulation of dye, which can be applied for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and synthesis of hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8), is reported. The size of the encapsulated dye tunes the mesoporosity and surface area of ZIF-8. The mesopore size, Langmuir surface area and pore volume are 15 nm, 960-1500 m(2). g(-1) and 0.36-0.61 cm(3). g(-1), respectively. After encapsulation into ZIF-8, the dyes show longer emission lifetimes (greater than 4-8-fold) as compared to the corresponding non-encapsulated dyes, due to suppression of aggregation, and torsional motions.
A systematic search for mixed low-valence, nickel-tin chalcogenides performed by establishing phase relations in the parts of Ni-Sn-Se and Ni-Sn-Te ternary systems resulted in the discovery of two new compounds, Ni5.62SnSe2 and Ni5.78SnTe2 Single crystals of both compounds were prepared by chemical transport with iodine and crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray investigation. The ED patterns for Ni5.78SnTe2 showed the presence of satellite reflections, which indicate a modulated structure with qapproximate to0.4a*. Average crystal structures of both compounds were determined to be of tetragonal symmetry (Sp.gr.I4/mmm, Z = 2) with a = 3.6890(8) Angstrom, c = 18.648(3) Angstrom, R-w = 0.0716 and a = 3.7680(5) Angstrom, c = 19.419(4) Angstrom, R-w, 0.0832, correspondingly, and are isostructural to known Ni5.72SbSe2 and Ni5.66SbTe2. Measurements were carried out for both compounds with respect to thermal, electrical and magnetic properties. Ab initio band structure calculations were also performed to take a first glance into the electronic structure of such type compounds. The anisotropy of their band structure was found. Physical property measurements showed both compounds to be the anisotropic metallic conductors and paramagnetics. Calculated difference charge density maps revealed pairwise covalent and multicenter metallic nature of the d-metal-chalcogen and d-metal-p-metal interactions, respectively.
Two new, metal-rich nickel-tin sulfides Ni6SnS2 and Ni9Sn2S2 were found by establishing phase relations in the ternary Ni-Sn-S system at 540 degreesC. Their single crystals were prepared by means of chemical vapor transport reactions. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used for the determination of their crystal structures. Both compounds crystallize in a tetragonal system (/4/mmm, No. 139, Z = 2, a = 3.646(1) Angstrom, c = 18.151(8) Angstrom for Ni6SnS2, and a = 3.678(1) Angstrom, c = 25.527(8) Angstrom for Ni9Sn2S2). Their crystal structures represent a new structure type and can be considered as assembled from bimetallic nickel-tin and nickel-sulfide slabs alternating along the crystallographic c axis. DFT band structure calculations showed the bonding within the bimetallic slabs to have a delocalized, multicenter nature, typical for metallic systems, and predominantly classical, pairwise bonding between nickel and sulfur.
The new compound Ni(8)Bi(8)Sl(2) has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure contains one-dimensional (1D) cations (1)(infinity)[Ni8Bi8S](2+) separated by iodine anions. The geometry of the columns is similar to that of the recently reported (1)(infinity)[Ni8Bi8S](+), and the main difference between them is only their formal charge. Electronic structure calculations and physical properties measurements were performed to analyze the influence of the number of valence electrons on the bonding and properties of compounds containing these 1D cations. It was shown that the removal of one electron (i.e., (1)(infinity)[Ni8Bi8S](+) --> (1)(infinity)[Ni8Bi8S](2+)) mainly affects the Ni-S bonding within the cation and essentially has no influence on the intermetallic Ni-Bi bonding. It was found that Ni(8)Bi(8)Sl(2) containing double-charged columns has conductivity properties more similar to a pure 1D metal than the congener Ni(8)Bi(8)Sl containing mono-charged columns.
A new quasi-one-dimensional compound Ni8Bi8SI has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure of Ni8Bi8SI consists of [(infinityNi8Bi8S)-Ni-1] columns separated by iodine atoms. Conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements (down to 4.2 K) show that Ni8Bi8SI is a one-dimensional metal and exhibits Pauli paramagnetic properties. These observations are in good agreement with the results from electronic structure calculations. An analysis of the chemical bonding employing difference electron charge density maps reveals strong multicenter Ni-Bi bonds and pair Ni-S interactions within the [(infinityNi8Bi8S)-Ni-1] columns. Only electrostatic interactions are inferred between the columns and iodine atoms.
The crystal structure of two polymorphs of ropivacaine HCl have been determined, as well as their relative stability up to 100 degrees C. A geometric restriction for a solid-state transition between the two polymorphs has been identified. The packing density along the H-bonded chains form the basis for a model explaining the kinetic crystallization of the metastable form. The difference in stability and physicochemical properties between the two polymorphs can be attributed to the difference in crystal structure.
A conceptually new polymer electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells is reported and investigated. The benefits of using this type of electrolyte based on ionic liquid mixtures (ILMs) and room temperature ionic liquids are highlighted. Impedance spectroscopy and transient electron measurements have been used to elucidate the background of the photovoltaic performance. Even though larger recombination losses were noted, the high ion mobility and conductivity induced in the ILMs by the added polymer result in enhanced overall conversion efficiencies.
Recently, cobalt redox electrolyte mediators have emerged as a promising alternative to the commonly used iodide/triiodide redox shuttle in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Here, we report the successful use of a new quasi-liquid, polymer-based electrolyte containing the Co3+/Co2+ redox mediator in 3-methoxy propionitrile solvent in order to overcome the limitations of high cell resistance, low diffusion coefficient and rapid recombination losses. The performance of the solar cells containing the polymer based electrolytes increased by a factor of 1.2 with respect to an analogous electrolyte without the polymer. The performances of the fabricated DSCs have been investigated in detail by photovoltaic, transient electron measurements, EIS, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopy. This approach offers an effective way to make high-performance and long-lasting DSCs.
Simple and rational: The intrinsic solubility of a compound can be systematically improved by perturbing key interactions in its crystal structure. By carefully choosing the perturbation, the end result will be a molecule similar to the original one, but with significantly higher solubility. This methodology is demonstrated on a subset of benzodiazepines, resulting in significant improvement of their solubility.
Solubility is a frequently recurring issue within pharmaceutical industry, and new methods to proactively resolve this are of fundamental importance. Here, a novel methodology is reported for intrinsic solubility improvement, using insilico prediction of crystal structures, by perturbing key interactions in the crystalline solid state. The methodology was evaluated with a set of benzodiazepine molecules, using the two-dimensional molecular structure as the only a priori input. The overall trend in intrinsic solubility was correctly predicted for the entire set of benzodiazepines molecules. The results also indicate that, in drug compound series where the melting point is relatively high (i.e., brick dust compounds), the reported methodology should be very suitable for identifying strategically important molecular substitutions to improve solubility. As such, this approach could be a useful predictive tool for rational compound design in the early stages of drug development.
A study of the criteria required to manufacture multicomponent semi-transparent silicate glasses, so called 'alabaster' glasses, has found that the optical effect is caused by noncrystalline potassium sulfate droplets. The droplets were characterised by use of XRD, SEM/EDX and Raman spectroscopy. The size range of the particles is of the order of 5-50 micrometers. It was found that the droplets consisted of potassium sulfate, even if other sulfate compounds were added to the glass. The amount of sulfate compound added, the melting temperature of the furnace and the melting time have significant effects on the optical density of the glass. The optical density of the glass can be correlated to the calculated surface tension of the host glass, suggesting that phase separation of a sulfate enriched liquid phase is part of the mechanism forming the droplets. By adding pigments several different colours can be obtained, but the alabaster effect is not achieved during reducing conditions, thus it seems not possible to produce colours originating from reduced pigments. Pigments tested were Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Au, Mo/Se, Nd and Ti/Ce/Se.
The effect of Sb3+ and Sn2+ during the heat treatment of copper ruby alkali silicate glasses is investigated. The reducing power of SnO and Sb2O3 with respect to Cu is investigated and it is concluded that SnO has the strongest reducing capability. When Cu2O and SnO concentrations are low, minor additions of Sb2O3 have an observable impact on colour development and absorbance, as thin pieces of glass develop a bluish tint and a larger shift towards longer wavelengths is observed in UV/vis spectra. The differences in colour and spectra are suggested to be caused by differences in size of the colour forming agent, Cu metal particles.
The interaction between selenium and molybdenum in reduced alkali silicate melts, resulting in red glasses has been studied. The oxidation state of Mo is Mo(VI) as evidenced by XANES and ESCA results. Selenium is present in a reduced state, as indicated by ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and XANES. The colour is described by ultraviolet/visible spectra and CIE colour coordinates. The main absorption peaks are at 450 and 540 nm. Similar bands are reported for MoOSe32−. Several commonly used glass components must be avoided in the batch, as they prevent formation of the red colour.
The interaction between selenium and molybdenum in reduced alkali silicate melts, resulting in red glasses has been studied. The oxidation state of Mo is Mo(VI) as evidenced by XANES and ESCA results. Selenium is present in a reduced state, as indicated by ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and XANES. The colour is described by ultraviolet/visible spectra and CIE colour coordinates. The main absorption peaks are at 450 and 540 nm. Similar bands are reported for MoOSe32-. Several commonly used glass components must be avoided in the batch, as they prevent formation of the red colour.
The development of the red colour in copper ruby alkali silicate glasses has been studied by means of ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, TEM and EXAFS. The results show that in both red and slightly overstruck, brownish glasses the colour is due to clusters of metallic copper. Before striking non-coloured glasses contain mainly cuprous ions, Cu+. Tin acts as a reducing agent but also has an accelerating effect on colour development.
Cross-linked polymers of elemental sulfur are of potential interest for electronic applications as they enable facile thin-film processing of an abundant and inexpensive starting material. Here, we characterize the electronic structure of a cross-linked sulfur/diisopropenyl benzene (DIB) polymer by a combination of soft and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SOXPES and HAXPES). Two different approaches for enhancing the conductivity of the polymer are compared: the addition of selenium in the polymer synthesis and the addition of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) during film preparation. For the former, we observe the incorporation of Se into the polymer structure resulting in a changed valence-band structure. For the latter, a Fermi level shift in agreement with p-type doping of the polymer is observed and also the formation of a surface layer consisting mostly of TFSI anions.
Some preliminary tests at the crystallography beamline I711 at the MAX II synchrotron in Lund, Sweden, have shown that it is possible to use acoustical levitation to keep a droplet of liquid and solid (powder) samples in an X-ray beam for a sufficient time for collection of the X-ray diffraction pattern.
The main of this work is to overcome the drawbacks of the traditional fullerene derivatives used as electron transport materials (ETMs) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a new strategy to design non-fullerene ETMs is presented by molecular engineering to include charged moieties in the ETM. The designed ETM FA2+-PDI2 is intrinsically ionic and the incorporated counter ions in FA2+-PDI2 significantly increase the electron conductivity and improve the film formation properties. Through careful device optimization, PSCs based on the ionic ETM FA2+-PDI2 exhibit an impressive average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.0%, which is comparable to the PSC based on PC61BM (17.5%). The superior photovoltaic performance can be attributed to efficient electron extraction and effective electron transfer in the PSCs. This work provides important insights regarding the future design of new and efficient non-fullerene ETMs for PSCs.
In this work, we have designed and synthesized a novel molecular material, BDT-C1, in which the core unit, benzodithiophene (BDT), was functionalized by thiophene (TP) and benzo-[c][1,2,5]-thiadiazole (BTZ) derivatives to generate extended pi-conjugation. BDT-C1 shows high hole mobility and high conductivity in its pristine form, in combination with appropriate energy level alignment with respect to [CH3NH3]PbI3 and PC70BM, qualifying the material as a good candidate for application both in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as dopant-free hole transport material (HTM) and in OSCs as donor material. The champion PSCs based on BDT-C1 show an average conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.4% (scan forward: 13.9%; scan backward: PCE=12.9%, scan rate: 10 mV/s). Although the average efficiency obtained is slightly lower than that of reference devices based on the well-known doped HTM Spiro-OMeTAD (13.7%), the BDT-C1 based devices exhibit better stability. Moreover, BDT-C1 as a donor material in OSCs also shows good performance in combination with PC70BM as acceptor material, and an efficiency of 6.1% was obtained. The present results demonstrate that BDT-C1 works well as both donor material in OSCs as well as dopant-free HTMs for efficient PSCs.
In this work, two Cu(II) complex compounds are designed and synthesized for applications as p-type dopants in solid-state perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Through the characterization of the optical and electrochemical properties, the complex Cu(bpcm)(2) is shown to be eligible for oxidization of the commonly used hole-transport material (HTM) SpiroOMeTAD. The reason is the electron-withdrawing effect of the chloride groups on the ligands. When the complex was applied as p-type dopant in PSCs containing Spiro-OMeTAD as HTM, an efficiency as high as 18.5% was achieved. This is the first time a Cu(II) pyridine complex has been used as p-type dopant in PSCs.
To develop new hole-transporting materials (HTMs) for efficient and stable perovskite solar. cells (PSCs), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis{4-[N,N-di(4-thethoxylphenyl)amino-phenyl]}-porphyrin was prepared in gram scale through the direct condensation of pyrrole and 4-[bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-benzaldehyde. Its Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes exhibit excellent thermal and electrochemical stability, specifically a high hole Mobility and very favorable energetics for hole extraction that render them a new class of HTMs in organometallic halide PSCs. As expected, ZnP as HTM in PSCs affords a competitive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.78%,which is comparable to that of the most powerful HTM of Spiro-MeOTAD (18.59%) under the same working conditions. Mean-While, the metal centers affect somewhat the photovoltaic performances that CuP as HTM produces a lower PCE of 15.36%. Notably, the PSCs employing ZnP show a much,better stability than Spiro-OMeTAD. Moreover, the two-porphyrin-based HTMs can be prepared from relatively cheap raw materials with a facile synthetic route. The results demonstrate that ZnP and CuP can be a new class of HTMs for efficient and stable PSCs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the best performance that porphyrin-based solar cells could show with PCE > 17%.
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted significant interest and hole transporting materials (HTMs) play important roles in achieving high efficiency. Here, we report additive free ionic type HTMs that are based on 2-ethylhexyloxy substituted benzodithiophene (BDT) core unit. With the ionization of end-capping pyridine units, the hole mobility and conductivity of molecular materials are greatly improved. Applied in PSCs, ionic molecular material M7-TFSI exhibits the highest efficiency of 17.4% in the absence of additives [lithium bis(trifluor-omethanesulfonyl)imide and 4-tert-butylpyridine]. The high efficiency is attributed to a deep highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level, high hole mobility and high conductivity of M7-TFSI. Moreover, due to the higher hydrophobicity of M7-TFSI, the corresponding PSCs showed better stability than that of Spiro-OMeTAD based ones. In addition, the strong absorption and suitable energy levels of materials (M6, M7-13r and M7-TFSI) also qualify them as donor materials in organic solar cells (OSCs) and the devices containing M7-TFSI as donor material displayed an efficiency of 6.9%.
We demonstrate a high efficiency perovskite solar cell (PSC) integrated with a bulk heterojunction layer, based on acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) type hole transport material (HTM) and PC70BM composite, yielding improved photoresponse. Two A-D-A-structured hole transporting materials termed M3 and M4 were designed and synthesized. Applied as HTMs in PSCs, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 14.8% and 12.3% were obtained with M3 and M4, respectively. The HTMs M3 and M4 show competitive absorption, but do not contribute to photocurrent, resulting in low current density. This issue was solved by mixing the HTMs with PC70BM to form a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layer and integrating this layer into the PSC as hole transport layer (HTL). Through careful interface optimization, the (FAPbI(3))(0.85)(MAPbBr(3))(0.15)/HTM:PC70BM integrated devices showed improved efficiencies of 16.2% and 15.0%, respectively. More importantly, the incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectrum shows that the photoresponse is extended to 900 nm by integrating the M4:PC70BM based BHJ and (FAPbI(3))(0.85)(MAPbBr(3))(0.15) layers.
Based on the previous research work in our laboratory, we have designed and synthesized a small-molecule, hole transport material (HTM) POZ6-2 using phenoxazine (POZ) as central unit and dicyanovinyl units as electron-withdrawing terminal groups. Through the introduction of a 2-ethyl-hexyl bulky chain into the POZ core unit, POZ6-2 exhibits good solubility in organic solvents. In addition, POZ6-2 possesses appropriate energy levels in combination with a high hole mobility and conductivity in its pristine form. Therefore, it can readily be used as a dopant-free HTM in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and a conversion efficiency of 10.3% was obtained. The conductivity of the POZ6-2 layer can be markedly enhanced via doping in combination with typical additives, such as 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI). Correspondingly, the efficiency of the PSCs was further improved to 12.3% using doping strategies. Under the same conditions, reference devices based on the well-known HTM Spiro-OMeTAD show an efficiency of 12.8%.
A perylenediimide (PDI) tetramer-based three dimensional (3D) molecular material, termed SFX-PDI4, has been designed, synthesized, and characterized. The low-lying HOMO and LUMO energy levels, high electron mobility and good film-formation property make it a promising electron transport material (ETM) in inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The device exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.3% with negligible hysteresis, which can rival that of device based on PC61BM. These results demonstrate that three dimensional PDI-based molecular materials could serve as high performance ETMs in PSCs.
An organic-inorganic integrated hole transport layer (HTL) composed of the solution-processable nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) abbreviated NiPc-(OBu)(8) and vanadium(V) oxide (V2O5) is successfully incorporated into structured mesoporous perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The optimized PSCs show the highest stabilized power conversion efficiency of up to 16.8% and good stability under dark ambient conditions. These results highlight the potential application of organic-inorganic integrated HTLs in PSCs.
The phenoxazine-based acceptor-donor-acceptor structured small-molecule material M1 is used either as a hole-transport material in (CH<inf>3</inf>NH<inf>3</inf>)PbI<inf>3</inf>-perovskite-based solar cells or as photoactive donor material in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Excellent power conversion efficiencies of 13.2% and 6.9% are achieved in these two types of photovoltaic devices, respectively.
A new TEMPO-Co tandem redox system with TEMPO and Co(bpy)(3)(2+/3+) has been investigated for the use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A large open-circuit voltage (V-OC) increase, from 862 mV to 965 mV, was observed in the tandem redox system, while the short-circuit current density (J(SC)) was maintained. The conversion efficiency was observed to increase from 7.1% for cells containing the single Co(bpy)(3)(2+/3+) redox couple, to 8.4% for cells containing the TEMPO-Co tandem redox system. The reason for the increase in V-OC and overall efficiency is ascribed to the involvement of partial regeneration of the sensitizing dye molecules by TEMPO. This assumption can be verified through the observed much faster regeneration dynamics exhibited in the presence of the tandem system. Using the tandem redox system, the faster recombination problem of the single TEMPO redox couple is resolved and the mass-transport of the metal-complex-based electrolyte is also improved. This TEMPO-Co tandem system is so far the most effienct tandem redox electrolyte reported not involving iodine. The current results show a promising future for tandem system as replacements for single redox systems in electrolytes for DSSCs.
A tandem redox strategy is used in cobalt-based electrolytes. Co(bpy) 3 2+/Co(bpy)3 3+ offers a high photovoltage at the photoanode, whereas the I-/I3 - or Fc/Fc+ redox couples facilitate charge transfer at the counter electrode. Electron exchange in the electrolyte offers beneficial concentration gradients. The overall conversion efficiency is improved from 6.5% to 7.5%.
A new redox couple, [Cu(bpye)2]+/2+, has been synthesized, and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Overall efficiencies of 9.0% at 1 sun and 9.9% at 0.5 sun were obtained, which are considerably higher than those obtained for cells containing the reference redox couple, [Co(bpy)3]2+/3+. These results represent a record for copper-based complex redox systems in liquid DSSCs. Fast dye regeneration, sluggish recombination loss processes, faster electron self-exchange reactions and suitable redox potentials are the main reasons for the observed increase in efficiency. In particular, the main disadvantage of cobalt complex-based redox couples, charge-transport problems, appears to be resolved by a change to copper complex redox couples. The results make copper complex-based redox couples very promising for further development of highly efficient DSSCs.
A new kind of hybrid electrolyte with S2-/S-x(2-) and I- was invented, and the new hybrid system was demonstrated to outperform the well-known I-/I-3(-) redox system in DSCs. An efficiency of 9.1% was achieved in our lab under AM 1.5 illumination using the dye N719, considerably higher than the efficiency of 8.0% of the I-/I-3(-)-based electrolyte.
Dye-sensitized solar cells have attracted intense academic interest over the past two decades. For a long time, the development of new redox systems has fallen far behind that of the sensitizing dyes and other materials. However, the field has received renewed attention recently. In particular, in 2011, the Gratzel group published a record DSC efficiency of 12.3% by using a new Co-complex-based electrolyte. In this review, we will provide an overview of iodine/iodide-free redox systems for liquid electrolytes, and reveal that the design of an efficient redox system should combine with appropriate sensitizing dyes which is the pivotal challenge for highly efficient DSCs.
This recommendation proposes a definition for the term "halogen bond", which designates a specific subset of the inter- and intramolecular interactions involving a halogen atom in a molecular entity.
The structure of the dye layer adsorbed on the titania substrate in a dye-sensitized solar cell is of fundamental importance for the function of the cell, since it strongly influences the injection of photoelectrons from the excited dye molecules into the titania substrate. The adsorption isotherms of the N719 ruthenium-based dye were determined both with a direct method using the depth profiling technique neutral impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (NICISS) and with the standard indirect solution depletion method. It is found that the dye layer adsorbed on the titania surface is laterally inhomogeneous in thickness and there is a growth mechanism already from low coverage levels involving a combination of monolayers and multilayers. It is also found that the amount of N719 adsorbed on the substrate depends on the titania structure. The present results show that dye molecules in dye-sensitized solar cells are not necessarily, as presumed, adsorbed as a self-assembled monolayer on the substrate.
Using the reductive power of the ferrocene moiety (Fc), an ultrafast regeneration step via a covalent attachment of a Fc moiety to an organic triphenylamine-based dye (L1) when adsorbed on TiO2 is highlighted. Two modified dyes with one and two Fc moieties attached (L1Fc, and L1Fc2), respectively, were synthesized by addition to the L1 dye. These dyes have been studied spectroscopically using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy in the visible and the infrared (IR) regions. In acetonitrile, the results show an ultrafast excited state quenching of the modified dyes due to an expected electron transfer process from the Fc(s) to L1. Adsorbed onto TiO2, an electron transfer process is also detected from Fc to the oxidized dye (L1(+)). Despite the occurrence of an ultrafast regeneration step, the solar cell performance does not improve by the attachment of Fc(s) to the dye L1. Transient absorption measurements in the IR region revealed a fast electron recombination process to the Fc(+) moiety on an average time scale of ca. 300 ps, outcompeting the >12 ns process to L1(+). The reasons for the observed considerably faster recombination rate to Fc(+) than to L1(+) are discussed in detail. This study provides deep spectroscopic insights for such organic dyes utilized to afford ultrafast regeneration step without showing high performance in photovoltaic devices. In addition, this study will improve our understandings for the triangular relationship between the molecular design, electron kinetics, and the performance in photovoltaic devices. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ozone can be used as an antiseptic in cleaning systems. SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) has proved to be a suitable surfactant in such systems. However, kinetic studies have showed that SDS reacts with ozone at high concentrations. In contrast, the natural decomposition of ozone to oxygen is retarded at low SDS concentrations. NMR spectroscopic analyses of SDS solutions being continuously treated with ozone and OH radicals, respectively, have been performed. H-1-, C-13-, COSY-, HMBC- and HSQC-NMR spectra were recorded showing that small carboxyl acids were formed at exposure to ozone. Randomly positioned carbonyl groups were also found along the hydrocarbon chain. However, the largest product was caused by direct reaction of SDS with ozone. The predominant product most likely is a SDS-peroxide. H-1-NMR spectra of the samples treated with OH radicals also show the formation of small carboxylic and carbonyl groups. However, there is no indication of oxidation of the sulphate group.
Two bismuth-rich subhalides, Bi4Br4 and Bi4I4, featuring extended quasi one-dimensional metallic fragments in their structures, have been investigated. The gas-phase technique of crystal growth has been refined for obtaining large (up to 5 mm long) single crystals. Electronic structure calculations on three-dimensional structures of both compounds have been performed (DFT level, hybrid B3LYP functional), predicting a semiconducting behavior for both compounds, with an indication of possible directional anisotropy of electric conductivity. Galvanomagnetic (resistance, magnetoresistance, Hall effect, thermopower) and magnetic (temperature and field dependence of magnetization) properties have been measured experimentally. Both compounds are found to be diamagnetic, room-temperature semiconductors with n-type conductivity. While Bi4Br4 demonstrates a typical case of one dimensionality, the difference in magnetoresistivity between Bi4Br4 and Bi4I4 indicates some weak interactions between isolated bismuth metallic fragments within the bismuth substructures.
Nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, such as N-methylbenzimidazole (MBI), are commonly used as additives to electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), but the chemical transformation of additives in electrolyte solutions remains poorly understood. Solid crystalline compound (MBI)(6)(MBI-H+)(2)(I-)(I-3(-)) (1) was isolated from different electrolytes for DSCs containing MBI as additive. The crystal structure of I was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the crystal structure, 1 contains neutral and protonated MBI fragments; iodide and triiodide anions form infinite chains along the crystallographic a-axis. The role of the solvent and additives in the crystallization process in electrolytes is discussed.
Two new materials of the composition ({CH3(CH2) 15(CH3)2S}+)2[CoBr 4]2- (1) and ({CH3(CH2) 15(CH3)2S}+)2[CuBr 4]2- (2 and 3), of which the latter exists in two polymorphs, were synthesized. The materials display the synthetically targeted structures, comprising of layers of complex metal ions and layers of long-chain sulfonium cations. The crystal structures of the materials were determined. The interlayer distances are around 24 Å, with metal-metal distances about 8 Å. The magnetic properties of 1 were investigated, and the material is paramagnetic. ({CH3(CH2)15(CH3) 2S}+)2[CuBr4]2 is polymorphic. Both polymorphs crystallize with triclinic symmetry.
A series of heteroleptic Cu(I) diimine complexes with different ancillary ligands and 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dibenzoic acid (dbda) as the anchoring ligand were selfassembled on TiO2 surfaces and used as dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The binding to the TiO2 surface was studied by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for a brominecontaining complex, confirming the complex formation. The performance of all complexes was assessed and rationalized on the basis of their respective ancillary ligand. The DSSC photocurrent-voltage characteristics, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra, and calculated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) distributions collectively show a push-pull structural dye design, in which the ancillary ligand exhibits an electron-donating effect that can lead to improved solar cell performance. By analyzing the optical properties of the dyes and their solar cell performance, we can conclude that the presence of ancillary ligands with bulky substituents protects the Cu(I) metal center from solvent coordination constituting a critical factor in the design of efficient Cu(I)-based dyes. Moreover, we have identified some components in the I-/I-3(-)-based electrolyte that causes dissociation of the ancillary ligand, i.e., TiO2 photoelectrode bleaching. Finally, the detailed studies on one of the dyes revealed an electrolyte-dye interaction, leading to a dramatic change of the dye properties when adsorbed on the TiO2 surface.
Five ion c liquids (ILs) of the general formula Im(+)A(-), where Im(+) = I -methyl-3-n-butyl-imidazolium, A(-) = I- (1), BF4- (2), SCN- (3), CF3CO2- (4), and CF(3)S0(3)(-) (5), were used in electrolytes for dye-sensitized monolithic solar cells. The properties of the electrolytes and various characteristics of the solar cell performance, such as electron transport and electron lifetime, were studied. The composition of the binary electrolytes, i.e., the different anions, have a significant effect on the viscosity, but only a modest effect of the measured diffusior. coefficient for triiodide. No significant effect of the electrolyte composition on the electron transport time in the mesoporous TiO2 film was found, while there was a pronounced effect on the electron lifetime. Monolithic solar cells with thiocyanate, IL 3, showed overall light-to-electricity conversion efficiency up to 5.6% in 250 W m(-2) simulated sunlight and have promising stability.
Dipicolinic acidwas investigated as a new anchoring group for DSSCs. A pilot dye (PD2) bearing this new anchoring group was found to adsorb significantly stronger to TiO2 than its cyanoacrylic acid analogue. The electrolyte composition was found to have a strong effect on the photoelectrochemical properties of the adsorbed dye in the device, allowing the dye LUMO energy to be tuned by 0.5 eV. Using a pyridine-free electrolyte, panchromatic absorption of the dye on TiO2 extending to 900 nm has been achieved. Solar cells using PD2 and a Co(bpy)(3) based electrolyte showed unique stability under simulated sunlight and elevated temperatures.
The efficiency of dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells containing ionic liquids, composed of organic sulfonium or imidazolium iodides, or a standard organic-liquid-based electrolyte was studied, while using sensitizers based on different polypyridyl-ruthenium complexes. The dyes N-719, [cis-Ru(II)(H(2)dcbpy)(2)(NCS)(2)(TBA)(2)] and Z-907, [cis-Ru(II)(H(2)dcbpy)(dnbpy)(NCS)(2), Z-907 having a more hydrophobic character. as well as a bidentate beta-diketonato complex, [(dcbpy)(2)Ru(acetylacetonate)]Cl-, was studied. Solar cells sensitized with the dye N-719 were more efficient than the Z-907 cells, for all electrolytes studied. Adding a co-adsorbent, the amphiphilic hexadecylmalonic acid (HDMA), to Z-907 solar cells containing an organic-liquid electrolyte resulted in increased overall light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies, from 3.7% to 4.0%, (100 W m(-2), AM 1.5). Possibly, this is caused by an insulating hydrophobic barrier formed to suppress unwanted electron losses. By applying TiO2 (P25) nanoparticles, assumed to support electron transfer reactions, to the organic-liquid electrolyte, the conversion efficiency was increased from 4.1% to 4.6% (100 W m(-2), AM 1.5). In 1000 W m(-2) illumination, the highest overall short-circuit current density, 9.3 mA cm(-2), was achieved with the N-719 sensitized cells, with the TiO2 nanocomposite-containing organic-liquid-based electrolyte. For solar cells sensitized with N-719, Z-907 or the beta-diketonato complex, and containing imidazolium or sulfonium iodide ionic liquids, no improvements of the overall conversion efficiency could be noticed at addition of HDMA to the dye or nanoparticles to the electrolyte.
A significant improvement in the long-term stability for cobalt-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) under light-soaking conditions has been achieved by optimization of the composition of tris(2,2'-bipyridine) Co(II)/Co(III) electrolytes. The effects of component exchanges and changes were also studied during the optimization process.
A significant increase in the photocurrent generation during light soaking for solar cells sensitized by the triphenylamine-based D-pi-A organic dyes (PD2 and LEG1) and mediated by cobalt bipyridine redox complexes has been observed and investigated. The crucial role of the electrolyte has been identified in the performance improvement. Control experiments based on a pretreatment strategy reveals TBP as the origin. The increase in the current and IPCE has been interpreted by the interfacial charge-transfer kinetics studies. A slow component in the injection kinetics was exposed for this system. This change explains the increase in the electron lifetime and collection efficiency. Photoelectron spectroscopic measurements show energy shifts at the dye/TiO2 interface, leading us to formulate a hypothesis with respect to an electrolyte induced dye reorganization at the surface.
The precipitation of solid compounds from model electrolytes for liquid dye-sensitized solar cells has a story to tell regarding decomposition processes to be expected in such systems. Of course, the crystal lattice energy for a specific crystalline compounds plays a role in what compound that will eventually precipitate, but the compounds nevertheless serve as indicators for what type of processes that take place in the solar cell electrolytes upon ageing. From the compounds isolated in this study we learn that both ligand exchange processes, double-salt precipitation and oxidation are degradation processes that should not be overlooked when formulating efficient and stable electrolytes for this type of electrochemical system.