Modification of nonlinear optical dyes for dye sensitized solar cells: A new use for a familiar acceptor

Dinesh G. Patel, Nick M. Bastianon, Paul Tongwa, Janelle M. Leger, Tatiana V. Timofeeva, Glenn P. Bartholomew

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The chemistry of electron deficient π-acceptors offers unique challenges in the rational design and synthesis of organic dyes for use in solar cells. We have synthesized 2-cyano-2-(3-cyano-4-((E)-4-(dibutylamino)styryl)-5,5- dimethylfuran-2(5H)-ylidene)ethanoic acid (2), a dye containing an carboxylated version of the strongly electron withdrawing TCF group by way of stepwise synthesis and isolation of 2,5-dihydro-2-imino-4,5,5-trimethylfuran-3- carbonitrile (5), previously only available as an intermediate available via microwave chemistry. We use this dye to sensitize nanocrystalline TiO 2 in order to examine its efficacy in dye-sensitized solar cells. Crystal structures of an intermediate and the final dye are presented and the isomerization about the terminal alkene is discussed in addition to preliminary solar cell data.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4242-4250
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry
Volume21
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 28 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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