Organic dyes containing fluorene decorated with imidazole units for dye-sensitized solar cells
Journal
Journal of Organic Chemistry
Journal Volume
79
Journal Issue
7
Pages
3159-3172
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
New organic dyes containing fluorene functionalized with two imidazole chromophores as donors and cyanoacrylic acid acceptors have been synthesized and successfully demonstrated as sensitizers in nanocrystalline TiO 2-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The monoimidazole analogues were also synthesized for comparison. The Sommelet reaction of bromomethylated 2-bromo-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluorene produced the key precursor 7-bromo-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluorene-2,4-dicarbaldehyde required for the preparation of imidazole-functionalized fluorenes. Since the dyes possess weak donor segment, the electron-richness of the conjugation pathway dictated the optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the dyes. The dyes served as sensitizers in DSSC and exhibited moderate efficiency up to 3.44%. The additional imidazole present on the fluorene has been found to retard the electron recombination due to the bulkier hydrophobic environment and led to high open-circuit voltage in the devices. © 2014 American Chemical Society.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Chromophores; Open circuit voltage; Photoelectrochemical cells; Dye-Sensitized solar cell; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Electron recombinations; Functionalized; Hydrophobic environment; Nano-crystalline TiO; Organic dye; Photovoltaic property; Solar cells; acetonitrile; aldehyde derivative; cyanoacrylate; dichloromethane; dye; fluorene; imidazole derivative; n,n dimethylformamide; tetrahydrofuran; titanium dioxide; absorption spectroscopy; article; catalysis; complex formation; conjugation; electrical equipment; electrochemistry; electron; Knoevenagel condensation; light absorption; oxidation; Sonogashira reaction; Stille reaction; synthesis
Type
journal article