Evaluation of a ruthenium oxyquinolate architecture for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Synthesis of the [Ru(dcbpy) 2(OQN)] + complex is reported in which dcbpy and OQN - are the bidentate 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridyl and 8-oxyquinolate ligands, respectively. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical analyses are indicative of extensive Ru(OQN) molecular orbital overlap due to degenerate Ru d(π) and OQN p(π) mixing. [Ru(dcbpy) 2(OQN)] + displays spectroscopic properties remarkably similar to those of the N3 dye, making it a promising candidate for application in dye-sensitized solar cell devices. However, its solar power conversion efficiency requires further optimization. © 2011 American Chemical Society.