Synthesis of benzimidazole moiety heteroleptic ruthenium complex and use as sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells

The new benzimidazole functional heteroleptic ruthenium complex dye (BRD) was prepared for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The compound was identified by various spectroscopic techniques and photovoltaic performances of this BRD DSSC were investigated and compared with Z907 (cis-diisothiocyanato-(2,2 '-bipyridyl-4,4 '-dicarboxylic acid)-(2,2 '-bipyridyl-4,4 '-dinonyl) ruthenium(II)) DSSCs. It was found that [Ruthenium (4,4 '-dicarboxylic acid-2,2 '-bipyridine) (1-(2-ethoxyethyl)-2-(pyridine-2-yl)benzimidazole) (NCS)(2)] (2) has a thermal stability below 300 degrees C. Two different electrolytes were used to get the effect on photovoltaic parameters. The photovoltaic measurements of the BRD and Z907 DSSCs were carried out under 100 mW/cm(2) (AM1.5) illumination. Short-circuit current density (J(sc)) values were obtained as 8.20 and 7.32 mA/cm(2) for AN50 and HI30 electrolytes, respectively. The photovoltaic efficiencies were obtained as 3.03% and 2.82% for AN50 and HI30 electrolytes, respectively.

Automated summary

The new benzimidazole functional heteroleptic ruthenium complex dye BRD was prepared for DSSCs and compared with Z907 DSSCs. The BRD DSSC showed excellent thermal stability and different electrolytes had an effect on photovoltaic parameters. Under 100mW/cm² (AM1.5) illumination, the BRD DSSC with AN50 electrolyte exhibited higher short-circuit current density and photovoltaic efficiency.