Currently TiO2 dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are only ~11% efficient. A better understanding of the electron transfer cycle is needed to improve efficiency. This study investigates the binding of the organic dye compound to the surface of the TiO2 semiconductor with the main focus being on how the linker functionality between the dye and the semiconductor affects charge transport. To do this, a series of octahedral titanium centered complexes will be synthesized with 2, 3 or 4 coordinate oxo-ligands, with the remaining open sites being occupied by carboxylate, sulfonate or phosphonate linker functionalities. The mode of attachment (monodentate, chelating or bridging) of these functionalities to the TiO2 surface will be determined with the use of IR, Raman  spectroscopy with the model complexes acting as reference compounds. A better understanding of the binding motif on the semiconductor's surface brings insight to which conditions provide the most efficient charge transport.

Organometallic models of the semiconductor interface of TiO<sub>2</sub> based dye sensitized solar cells

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Organometallic models of the semiconductor interface of TiO2 based dye sensitized solar cells

Organometallic models of the semiconductor interface of TiO₂ based dye sensitized solar cells