Water-splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (WS-DSPECs) utilize high surface area semiconductor electrodes sensitized with a molecular light absorber and catalyst in order to drive photoelectrochemical water oxidation. Electron transfer occurs from the photoexcited dye to the electrode material while holes are laterally transferred across the surface until reaching a water oxidation catalyst. We have synthesized a novel oligomeric ruthenium bipyridine dye that is attached to the electrode through phosphonate groups. We have characterized the oligomer with NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The oligomeric sensitizer is expected to speed up lateral charge transport, mitigate dye desorption, and increase the efficiency, and the results will be reported at the meeting. All of these studies are compared to electrodes sensitized by the traditionally-used molecular ruthenium bipyridine complex, which is essentially a monomeric analogue of the oligomer dye.

Oligomeric ruthenium dye for the improved efficiency of water-splitting dye-sensitized solar cells

252nd National Meeting (2016)

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