We have designed a method utilizing copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) chemistry to assemble light-harvesting arrays for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). This rapid method produces uniform, multilayer films with highly controllable photophysical and electrochemical characteristics. These properties are critical in order to pursue replacement of the most commonly used iodide/triiodide redox mediator, which limits the maximum achievable efficiency for DSCs, with alternatives that utilize an outer-sphere redox mechanism. Tailoring DSC design to allow for these mediators is of great interest in order to improve device function. We have found our films possess an electrochemical rectifying property allowing charge transfer to the redox mediator while blocking recombination with the electrode surface. Herein we study the effectiveness of the rectification capabilities of our films, as well as examine factors such as rates of charge transfer and mediator-dye interactions. Our focus is highly relevant, as it offers an interesting method to possibly improve DSC devices by further utilizing the dye component already present in current designs.

Electrochemical rectification of molecular multilayered films towards redox mediators for dye-sensitized solar cells

250th National Meeting (2015)

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