Computational modeling of single-versus double-anchoring modes in di-branched organic sensitizers on TiO2 surfaces: structural and electronic properties
We present a first-principles DFT investigation of the adsorption geometry on the anatase (101) surface of a prototypical di-branched organic dye based on the extended tetrathiafulvalene moiety, incorporating two anchoring cyanoacrylic acid units. Reduced model systems with one and two anchoring groups have been initially studied to investigate the vibrational frequencies related to TiO2 dye adsorption. Our calculations confirm that the reduced systems can be used as reliable models to study the anchoring modes and that the conclusions extracted from the reduced systems can be extrapolated to the entire molecule. A series of molecular structures have been investigated to simulate the anchor…
Cobalt Electrolyte/Dye Interactions in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study
We report a combined experimental and computational investigation to understand the nature of the interactions between cobalt redox mediators and TiO2 surfaces sensitized by :ruthenium and organic dyes, and their impact on. the performance of the corresponding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We : focus: on different ruthenium dyes and fully organic dyes, to understand the dramatic loss of efficiency observed for the prototype Ru(II) N719 dye in conjunction with :Cobalt: electrolytes. Both N719- and Z907-based DSSCs showed an increased lifetime in iodine-based electrolyte compared to the cobalt-based redox-shuttle; While the organic D21L6 and D25L6 cycles endowed.With long alkoxy chains,…