Synthesis of a Hemicyanine Dye Bearing Two Carboxylic Groups and Its Use as a Photosensitizer in Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Cells

Elias Stathatos and Panagiotis Lianos*
Engineering Science Department, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece
André Laschewsky, Olivier Ouari, and Pierre Van Cleuvenbergen
Chemistry Department, Universit Catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Chem. Mater., 2001, 13 (11), pp 3888–3892
DOI: 10.1021/cm0012217
Publication Date (Web): September 8, 2001
Copyright © 2001 American Chemical Society
*

 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel.:  30-61-997587. Fax:  30-61-997803. E-mail:  lianos@upatras.gr.

Abstract

Two hemicyanine (aminostilbazium) dyes, one bearing two carboxylic groups while the other being its ester analogue, were synthesized for use as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPEC). Only the dye with carboxylic groups is covalently attached on mesoporous TiO2 films. The ester analogue, however, is physically adsorbed and it is easily washed off by several solvents. DSPECs of the Graetzel type, made of mesoporous TiO2 films (in our case, synthesized through the reverse-micellar route), of the aminostilbazium bicarboxylate photosensitizer and of a I-/I3-/propylenecarbonate electrolyte were tested and were found to yield more than 45% maximum photon to electron conversion efficiency and 0.72% overall photovoltaic efficiency. The cells yielded a linear response within a wide range of illumination intensities.

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History

  • Published In Issue November 19, 2001
  • Received November 13, 2000
    Revised Manuscript Received May 7, 2001

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