Acenaphthylene-Based Chromophores for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology.
• Developing efficient organic dyes is crucial for improving DSSC performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate novel acenaphthylene-based dyes with arylethynyl π-bridges for DSSCs.
• To investigate the effect of different π-bridge moieties on the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the dyes.

Main Methods:

• Sonogashira coupling reactions were used to synthesize acenaphthylene dyes with extended conjugated systems.
• Cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy were employed for characterization.
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were used to support spectroscopic findings.

Main Results:

• Four acenaphthylene dyes with phenyl, thiophene, benzotriazole, and thieno-[3,2-b]thiophene π-bridges were synthesized.
• Spectroscopic studies indicated red-shifted absorption and emission for dyes with extended conjugation.
• The phenylethynyl derivative (6a) achieved a power conversion efficiency of 2.51%, improved to 3.15% with CDCA addition.

Conclusions:

• Acenaphthylene dyes with extended π-bridges show potential for DSSC applications.
• The phenylethynyl derivative (6a) exhibited the highest efficiency in this series.
• Further optimization of dye structure and device components is needed to enhance DSSC performance.