Control of dark current in photoelectrochemical (TiO2/I--I-3(-)) and dye-sensitized solar cells

The ruthenium complex bis-tetrabutylammonium cis-dithiocyanato-N,N9-bis-2,29-bipyridine-4-carboxylic acid, 49-carboxylate ruthenium(II), N-719, was found to block the dark current of dye sensitized solar cells (DSC), based on mesoporous TiO2 films deposited on a F-doped tin oxide electrode and the effect was compared to surface treatment by TiCl4 and the introduction of a compact TiO2 blocking layer.