Pentafluorosulfanyl-functionalised BODIPY push-pull dyes for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photovoltaics
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising renewable energy technology.
• Developing efficient dyes is crucial for improving DSSC performance.
• Push-pull dyes offer enhanced charge-transfer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel push-pull BODIPY-based dye for photocathode applications in tandem dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
• To investigate the effect of an electronegative SF5 group on dye performance.
• To evaluate the dye's potential for large-scale manufacturing.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a BODIPY dye functionalized with an SF5 group at the meso position.
• Introduction of a carboxylic acid anchoring group via Knoevenagel condensation and a styryl linker.
• Application of the dye in p-type DSSCs (p-DSSCs).

Main Results:

• The synthesized dye exhibits push-pull characteristics, enhancing charge transfer from the NiO cathode.
• The styryl linker red-shifted the absorption spectrum.
• The dye was synthesized at room temperature with high yields.
• The p-DSSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency of 0.066%, with Jsc = 3.84 mA cm-2, Voc = 58 mV, and FF = 30%.

Conclusions:

• The novel SF5-functionalized BODIPY dye is suitable for photocathode applications in tandem DSSCs.
• The dye's properties make it a promising candidate for scalable production.
• Further optimization could lead to improved photovoltaic performance.