Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of new Ru(II) complexes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Two groups Ru(II) complexes, (1A-C and 2A) (A-C = 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridines, bbpy, with various substituents at 2-, 5-, and 6-positions) have been prepared and applied for dye–sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The compounds were characterized by various techniques. The optical and electrical properties of sensitizers were investigated with UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. High power conversion efficiencies up to 5.16%, have been achieved with 2Ae. Current–voltage characteristics of DSSCs clearly affected by the changing of the ligands at sensitizers. Additionally, computational studies show that locations of frontier molecular orbitals are significantly important for power–conversion efficiencies in DSSCs. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.