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Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Performance using Cone ‐Calix[4]Arene Based Dyes
Author(s) -
Tan LiLin,
Liu JunMin,
Li ShaoYong,
Xiao LiMin,
Kuang DaiBin,
Su ChengYong
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201402401
Subject(s) - dye sensitized solar cell , thermogravimetric analysis , calixarene , molar absorptivity , density functional theory , photochemistry , absorption (acoustics) , energy conversion efficiency , cyclic voltammetry , materials science , acceptor , chemistry , electrochemistry , absorption spectroscopy , molecule , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , computational chemistry , optics , electrode , electrolyte , composite material , condensed matter physics , physics
Three cone ‐calix[4]arene‐based sensitizers ( Calix‐1 – Calix‐3 ) with multiple donor–π–acceptor ( D –π–A) moieties are designed, synthesized, and applied in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Their photophysical and electrochemical properties are characterized by measuring UV/Vis absorption and emission spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Calix‐3 has excellent thermo‐ and photostability, as illustrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dye‐aging tests, respectively. Importantly, a DSSC using the Calix‐3 dye displays a conversion efficiency of 5.48 % in under standard AM 1.5 Global solar illumination conditions, much better than corresponding DSSCs that use the rod‐shaped dye M‐3 with a single D –π–A chain (3.56 %). The dyes offer advantages in terms of higher molar extinction coefficients, longer electron lifetimes, better stability, and stronger binding ability to TiO 2 film. This is the first example of calixarene‐based sensitizers for efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells.