Solar photovoltaic technologies are a fast growing area of research attempting to address the increasing demand for renewable energy sources. To incorporate sustainable energy generating techniques into the curriculum of the University of Minnesota, Morris, two new compounds were both synthesized and investigated: [Ru(bpy)3](BF4)2, Rubipy, and a related compound, Ru(dcabpy)2(NCS)2, N3 dye (where dcabpy is 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine). These syntheses were improved upon to the point of being reproducible within the timeframe of an advanced laboratory course as well as minimizing the cost for such experiments. In previous syntheses, N3 has taken up to 3 days to synthesize and purify. With this developed procedure, the time is cut down to less than three hours. As the most widely studied dye for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), N3 is known to be a consistent, high-performing material and is ideal for application in the undergraduate laboratory. During this inorganic lab experiment, students will become familiar with characterization techniques such as NMR, UV-vis, FT-IR, and cyclic voltammetry while also being introduced to the fabrication of DSSCs and working under an inert atmosphere.

Synthesis and investigation of photoactive inorganic dyes in an advanced undergraduate laboratory

247th National Meeting (2014)

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