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Integrating a Triplet-triplet Annihilation Up-conversion System to Enhance Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Response to Sub-bandgap Light
Published on: September 12, 2014
Molecular Engineering of Potent Sensitizers for Very Efficient Light Harvesting in Thin-Film Solid-State
Xiaoyu Zhang1,2, Yaoyao Xu1, Fabrizio Giordano2
1Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology , 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China.
Abstract:
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have shown significant potential for indoor and building-integrated photovoltaic applications. Herein we present three new D-A-π-A organic sensitizers, XY1, XY2, and XY3, that exhibit high molar extinction coefficients and a broad absorption range. Molecular modifications of these dyes, featuring a benzothiadiazole (BTZ) auxiliary acceptor, were achieved by introducing a thiophene heterocycle as well as by shifting the position of BTZ on the conjugated bridge. The ensuing high molar absorption coefficients enabled the fabrication of highly efficient thin-film solid-state DSSCs with only 1.3 μm mesoporous TiO2 layer. XY2 with a molar extinction coefficient of 6.66 × 10(4) M(-1) cm(-1) at 578 nm led to the best photovoltaic performance of 7.51%.

