Towards compatibility between ruthenium sensitizers and cobalt electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Ruthenium and Co: Ruthenium(II) complexes remain prime candidates for dye-sensitized solar applications; however, current ruthenium sensitizers are not compatible with cobalt(II/III) electrolytes. Herein, the effect of surface insulation on device efficiency is studied by comparing two cyclometalated tris-heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complexes. This approach demonstrates a general principle that leads to unprecedented efficiency for a ruthenium(II) sensitizer used in combination with a cobalt electrolyte. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.