Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nanomaterials for Solar Energy Conversion: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Ruthenium(II) tris-Heteroleptic Compounds or Natural Dyes

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nanoenergy

Abstract

The worldwide energy demand is growing and the development of sustainable power generation is a critical issue. Among several possibilities, dye-sensitized solar cells, DSSCs, have emerged as a promising device to meet the energy needs as an environmentally friendly alternative and investigation for academic and technological improvement of DSSCs are being carried out. One of the most important components of this device is the dye-sensitizer, since it is responsible for the sunlight harvesting and electron injection, the first steps of energy conversion. Herein, we review the developments on tris-heteroleptic ruthenium dye-sensitizers, which have been gaining much attention on the last years due to the possibility of modulating their photochemical and photophysical properties by using different ligands. Besides synthetic compounds, natural dyes have also been employed as semiconductor sensitizers for these devices and are also reviewed. These dyes can lower the device production costs since they can be promptly obtained from fruits or flowers in a very simple way. Among numerous classes of natural dyes, anthocyanins have been the most investigated ones and gained special attention in this work.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Cook TR et al (2010) Solar energy supply and storage for the legacy and nonlegacy worlds. Chem Rev 110(11):6474–6502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Nocera DG (2009) Chemistry of personalized solar energy. Inorg Chem 48(21):10001–10017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Carrette L, Friedrich KA, Stimming U (2000) Fuel cells: principles, types, fuels, and applications. Chem Phys Chem 1(4):162–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Cameron D, Holliday R, Thompson D (2003) Gold’s future role in fuel cell systems. J Power Sources 118(1–2):298–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lemos SG et al (2007) Electrocatalysis of methanol, ethanol and formic acid using a Ru/Pt metallic bilayer. J Power Sour 163(2):695–701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Freitas RG et al (2007) Methanol oxidation reaction on Ti/RuO2(x)Pt(1-x) electrodes prepared by the polymeric precursor method. J Power Sour 171(2):373–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Polo AS et al (2011) Pt-Ru-TiO2 photoelectrocatalysts for methanol oxidation. J Power Sour 196(2):872–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Gu C, Shannon C (2007) Investigation of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2-polyoxometalate systems for the oxidation of methanol. J Mol Catal A: Chem 262(1–2):185–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Drew K et al (2005) Boosting fuel cell performance with a semiconductor photocatalyst: TiO2/Pt-Ru hybrid catalyst for methanol oxidation. J Phys Chem B 109(24):11851–11857

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kamat PV (2007) Meeting the clean energy demand: nanostructure architectures for solar energy conversion. J Phys Chem C 111(7):2834–2860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Armaroli N, Balzani V (2007) The future of energy supply: challenges and opportunities. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 46(1–2):52–66

    Google Scholar 

  12. Meyer TJ (1989) Chemical approaches to artificial photosynthesis. Acc Chem Res 22(5):163–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Dubois MR, Dubois DL (2009) Development of molecular electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction and H2 production/oxidation. Acc Chem Res 42(12):1974–1982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Morris AJ, Meyer GJ, Fujita E (2009) Molecular approaches to the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide for solar fuels. Acc Chem Res 42(12):1983–1994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Concepcion JJ et al (2009) Making oxygen with ruthenium complexes. Acc Chem Res 42(12):1954–1965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Walter MG et al (2010) Solar water splitting cells. Chem Rev 110(11):6446–6473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Caramori S et al (2010) Photoelectrochemical behavior of sensitized TiO2 photoanodes in an aqueous environment: application to hydrogen production. Inorg Chem 49(7):3320–3328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Koike K et al (2009) Architecture of supramolecular metal complexes for photocatalytic CO2 reduction: III: effects of length of alkyl chain connecting photosensitizer to catalyst. J Photochem Photobiol, A 207(1):109–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Takeda H et al (2008) Development of an efficient photocatalytic system for CO2 reduction using rhenium(I) complexes based on mechanistic studies. J Am Chem Soc 130(6):2023–2031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kroon JM et al (2007) Nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells having maximum performance. Prog Photovoltaics Res Appl 15(1):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Tributsch H (1972) Reaction of excited chlorophyll molecules at electrodes and in photosynthesis. Photochem Photobiol 16(4):261–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. O’Regan B, Gratzel M (1991) A low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO2 films. Nature 353(6346):737–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Grätzel M (2001) Photoelectrochemical cells. Nature 414(6861):338–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Katoh R et al (2004) Kinetics and mechanism of electron injection and charge recombination in dye-sensitized nanocrystalline semiconductors. Coord Chem Rev 248(13–14):1195–1213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Gregg BA (2004) Interfacial processes in the dye-sensitized solar cell. Coord Chem Rev 248(13–14):1215–1224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Galoppini E (2004) Linkers for anchoring sensitizers to semiconductor nanoparticles. Coord Chem Rev 248(13–14):1283–1297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Anderson NA, Lian T (2004) Ultrafast electron injection from metal polypyridyl complexes to metal-oxide nanocrystalline thin films. Coord Chem Rev 248(13–14):1231–1246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Asbury JB et al (2003) Parameters affecting electron injection dynamics from ruthenium dyes to titanium dioxide nanocrystalline thin film. J Phys Chem B 107(30):7376–7386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Anderson NA, Ai X, Lian T (2003) Electron injection dynamics from ru polypyridyl complexes to ZnO nanocrystalline thin films. J Phys Chem B 107(51):14414–14421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Garcia CG et al (2002) Electron injection versus charge recombination in photoelectrochemical solar cells using cis-[(dcbH2)2Ru(CNpy)(H2O)]Cl2 as a nanocrystalline TiO2 sensitizer. J Photochem Photobiol, A 151(1–3):165–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Garcia CG et al (2002) Time-resolved experiments in dye-sensitized solar cells using [(dcbH2)2Ru(ppy)2](ClO4)2 as a nanocrystalline TiO2 sensitizer. J Photochem Photobiol, A 147(2):143–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Kuang DB et al (2006) High molar extinction coefficient heteroleptic ruthenium complexes for thin film dye-sensitized solar cells. J Am Chem Soc 128(12):4146–4154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Wang P et al (2004) Stable new sensitizer with improved light harvesting for nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells. Adv Mater 16(20):1806

    Google Scholar 

  34. Wang P et al (2004) Amphiphilic polypyridyl ruthenium complexes with substituted 2,2′-dipyridylamine ligands for nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Mater 16(17):3246–3251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Pelet S, Moser J-E, Gratzel M (2000) Cooperative effect of adsorbed cations and iodide on the interception of back electron transfer in the dye sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2. J Phys Chem B 104(8):1791–1795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Patrocinio AOT, Paterno LG, Iha NYM (2010) Role of polyelectrolyte for layer-by-layer compact TiO2 films in efficiency enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells. J Phys Chem C 114(41):17954–17959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Murakami Iha NY, Arcia CG, Bignozzi CA (2003) Dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells. In: Nalwa HS (ed) Handbook of photochemistry and photobiology. American Scientific Publishers, Stevenson Ranch, California, USA, pp 49–82

    Google Scholar 

  38. Nazeeruddin MK et al (1993) Conversion of light to electricity by cis-X2bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate)ruthenium(II) charge-transfer sensitizers (X = Cl−, Br−, I−, CN−, and SCN−) on nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes. J Am Chem Soc 115(14):6382–6390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Nazeeruddin MK, Gratzel M (2001) Separation of linkage isomers of trithiocyanato (4,4′,4″-tricarboxy-2,2′,6,2″-terpyridine)ruthenium(II) by pH-titration method and their application in nanocrystalline TiO2-based solar cells. J Photochem Photobiol A-Chem 145(1–2):79–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Chen CY et al (2006) A ruthenium complex with superhigh light-harvesting capacity for dye-sensitized solar cells. Angewandte Chem Int Ed 45(35):5822–5825

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Cao YM et al (2009) Dye-sensitized solar cells with a high absorptivity ruthenium sensitizer featuring a 2-(Hexylthio)thiophene conjugated bipyridine. J Phys Chem C 113(15):6290–6297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Nazeeruddin MK et al (2003) Investigation of sensitizer adsorption and the influence of protons on current and voltage of a dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cell. J Phys Chem B 107(34):8981–8987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Lv XJ, Wang FF, Li YH (2010) Studies of an extremely high molar extinction coefficient ruthenium sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2(7):1980–1986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Gao F et al (2008) Enhance the optical absorptivity of nanocrystalline TiO2 film with high molar extinction coefficient ruthenium sensitizers for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells. J Am Chem Soc 130(32):10720–10728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Chen CY et al (2009) Highly efficient light-harvesting ruthenium sensitizer for thin-film dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS Nano 3(10):3103–3109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Chen CY et al (2009) New ruthenium sensitizer with carbazole antennas for efficient and stable thin-film dye-sensitized solar cells. J Phys Chem C 113(48):20752–20757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Yu QJ et al (2009) An extremely high molar extinction coefficient ruthenium sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells: the effects of pi-conjugation extension. J Phys Chem C 113(32):14559–14566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Sun YL et al (2010) Viable alternative to N719 for dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2(7):2039–2045

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Polo AS, Itokazu MK, Murakami Iha NY (2004) Metal complex sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. Coord Chem Rev 248(13–14):1343–1361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Pashaei B et al (2016) Influence of ancillary ligands in dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Rev 116(16):9485–9564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Jin Zhengzhe et al (2008) Triarylamine-functionalized ruthenium dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Sus Chem 1(11):901–904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Mitsopoulou CA et al (2007) Synthesis, characterization and sensitization properties of two novel mono and bis carboxyl-dipyrido-phenazine ruthenium(II) charge transfer complexes. J Photochem Photobiol A-Chem 191:6–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Huang WK et al (2010) Synthesis and electron-transfer properties of benzimidazole-functionalized ruthenium complexes for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Commun 46(47):8992–8994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Wu SJ et al (2010) An efficient light-harvesting ruthenium dye for solar cell application. Dyes Pigm 84(1):95–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Abbotto A et al (2008) Electron-rich heteroaromatic conjugated bipyridine based ruthenium sensitizer for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Commun 42:5318–5320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Yum JH et al (2009) High efficient donor-acceptor ruthenium complex for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. Energy Environ Sci 2(1):100–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Willinger K et al (2009) Synthesis, spectral, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of novel heteroleptic polypyridyl ruthenium(II) donor-antenna dyes. J Mater Chem 19(30):5364–5376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Wang P et al (2003) A stable quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with an amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizer and polymer gel electrolyte (vol 2, p 402, 2003). Nat Mater 2(7):498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Sahin C et al (2008) Synthesis of an amphiphilic ruthenium complex with swallow-tail bipyridyl ligand and its application in nc-DSC. Inorg Chim Acta 361(3):671–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Nazeeruddin MK et al (2004) Stepwise assembly of amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizers and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cell. Coord Chem Rev 248(13–14):1317–1328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Klein C et al (2004) Amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizers and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells. Inorg Chem 43(14):4216–4226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Gao FF et al (2008) A new heteroleptic ruthenium sensitizer enhances the absorptivity of mesoporous titania film for a high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cell. Chem Commun 23:2635–2637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Hallett AJ, Jones JE (2011) Purification-free synthesis of a highly efficient ruthenium dye complex for dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). Dalton Trans 40(15):3871–3876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Lagref JJ, Nazeeruddin MK, Grätzel M (2003) Molecular engineering on semiconductor surfaces: design, synthesis and application of new efficient amphiphilic ruthenium photosensitizers for nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells. Synth Met 138(1–2):333–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Sygkridou D et al (2015) Comparative studies of pyridine and bipyridine ruthenium dye complexes with different side groups as sensitizers in sol-gel quasi-solid-state dye sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 160:227–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Kong F-T, Dai S-Y, Wang K-J (2007) New amphiphilic polypyridyl ruthenium(II) sensitizer and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Chin J Chem 25(2):168–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Liu K-Y et al (2010) Synthesis and characterization of cross-linkable ruthenium complex dye and its application on dye-sensitized solar cells. J Polym Sci, Part A: Polym Chem 48(2):366–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Ni J-S et al (2012) Effects of tethering alkyl chains for amphiphilic ruthenium complex dyes on their adsorption to titanium oxide and photovoltaic properties. J Colloid Interface Sci 386(1):359–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Song Y-Y et al (2009) Amphiphilic TiO2 nanotube arrays: an actively controllable drug delivery system. J Am Chem Soc 131(12):4230–4232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Giribabu L et al (2009) High molar extinction coefficient amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizers for efficient and stable mesoscopic dye-sensitized solar cells. Energy Environ Sci 2(7):770–773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Jiang KJ et al (2008) Efficient sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2 films with highmolar extinction coefficient ruthenium complex. Inorg Chim Acta 361(3):783–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Gao FF et al (2009) Conjugation of selenophene with bipyridine for a high molar extinction coefficient sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells. Inorg Chem 48(6):2664–2669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Nazeeruddin MK et al (2007) A high molar extinction coefficient charge transfer sensitizer and its application in dye-sensitized solar cell. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 185(2–3):331–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Karthikeyan CS et al (2007) Highly efficient solid-state dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells via control of retardation of recombination using novel donor-antenna dyes. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 91(5):432–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Kuang D et al (2007) High-efficiency and stable mesoscopic dye-sensitized solar cells based on a high molar extinction coefficient ruthenium sensitizer and nonvolatile electrolyte. Adv Mater 19(8):1133–1137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Hussain M et al (2013) Structure-property relationship of extended [small pi]-conjugation of ancillary ligands with and without an electron donor of heteroleptic Ru(ii) bipyridyl complexes for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 15(21):8401–8408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Chen CY et al (2007) A new route to enhance the light-harvesting capability of ruthenium complexes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Adv Mater 19(22):3888

    Google Scholar 

  78. Li J-Y et al (2010) Heteroleptic ruthenium antenna-dye for high-voltage dye-sensitized solar cells. J Mater Chem 20(34):7158–7164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Ryu TI et al (2009) Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of novel ruthenium(II) sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. Bull Korean Chem Soc 30(10):2329–2337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Zhu SS, Kingsborough RP, Swager TM (1999) Conducting redox polymers: investigations of polythiophene-Ru(bpy)(3)(n+) hybrid materials. J Mater Chem 9(9):2123–2131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Hara K et al (2001) Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells based on ruthenium(II) phenanthroline complex photosensitizers. Langmuir 17(19):5992–5999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Reynal A et al (2008) A phenanthroline heteroleptic ruthenium complex and its application to dye-sensitised solar cells. Eur J Inorg Chem 12:1955–1958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Onozawa-Komatsuzaki N et al (2006) Molecular and electronic ground and excited structures of heteroleptic ruthenium polypyridyl dyes for nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells. New J Chem 30(5):689–697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Carvalho F et al (2014) Synthesis, characterization and photoelectrochemical performance of a Tris-heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complex having 4,7-dimethyl-1, 10-phenanthroline. Inorg Chim Acta 414:145–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Müller AV et al (2015) Effects of methyl-substituted phenanthrolines on the performance of ruthenium(ii) dye-sensitizers. J Braz Chem Soc 26(11):2224–2232

    Google Scholar 

  86. Muller AV et al (2016) A high efficiency ruthenium(ii) Tris-heteroleptic dye containing 4,7-dicarbazole-1,10-phenanthroline for nanocrystalline solar cells. Rsc Adv 6(52):46487–46494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Reynal A et al (2008) Interfacial charge recombination between e–TiO2 and the I −/I −3 ; electrolyte in ruthenium heteroleptic complexes: dye molecular structure-open circuit voltage relationship. J Am Chem Soc 130(41):13558–13567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Oh H et al (2014) Synthesis of heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes ligated with 1,3-dihydro-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-7,8-diazacyclopenta 1 phenanthren-2-one and application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Synth Met 198:260–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Chen CY et al (2007) New ruthenium complexes containing oligoalkylthiophene-substituted 1,10-phenanthroline for nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells. Adv Func Mater 17(1):29–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Ocakoglu K et al (2012) The photovoltaic performance of new ruthenium complexes in DSSCs based on nanorod ZnO electrode. Synth Met 162(23):2125–2133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. Smestad GP, Grätzel M (1998) Demonstrating electron transfer and nanotechnology: a natural dye-sensitised nanocrystalline energy converter. J Chem Edu 75(6):752–756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Smestad GP (1998) Education and solar conversion: demonstrating electron transfer. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 55(1–2):157–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Sonai GG et al (2015) Solar cells sensitized with natural dyes: an introductory experiment about solar energy for undergraduate students. Quim Nova 38(10):1357–1365

    Google Scholar 

  94. Patrocinio AOT, Iha NYM (2010) Toward sustainability: solar cells sensitized by natural extracts. Quim Nova 33(3):574–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Chien CY, Hsu BD (2013) Optimization of the dye-sensitized solar cell with anthocyanin as photosensitizer. Solar Energy Part C 98:203–211

    Google Scholar 

  96. Suyitno S et al (2015) Stability and efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells based on papaya-leaf dye. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 148:99–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  97. Chien CY, Hsu BD (2014) Performance enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells based on anthocyanin by carbohydrates. Sol Energy 108:403–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  98. Treat NA, Knorr FJ, McHale JL (2016) Templated assembly of betanin chromophore on TiO2: aggregation-enhanced light-harvesting and efficient electron injection in a natural dye-sensitized solar cell. J Phys Chem C 120(17):9122–9131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  99. Teoli F et al (2016) Role of pH and pigment concentration for natural dye-sensitized solar cells treated with anthocyanin extracts of common fruits. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 316:24–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. Akila Y et al (2016) Enhanced performance of natural dye sensitised solar cells fabricated using rutile TiO2 nanorods. Opt Mater 58:76–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  101. Ananth S et al (2016) Enhanced photovoltaic behavior of dye sensitized solar cells fabricated using pre dye treated titanium dioxide nanoparticles. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 27(1):146–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  102. Kumara N et al (2015) Efficiency enhancement of Ixora floral dye sensitized solar cell by diminishing the pigments interactions. Sol Energy 117:36–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  103. Chang H et al (2013) Characterization of natural dye extracted from wormwood and purple cabbage for dye-sensitized solar cells. Int J Photoenergy

    Google Scholar 

  104. Koli P (2014) Photogalvanic cells: comparative study of various synthetic dyes and natural photo sensitizers present in spinach extract. Rsc Adv 4(86):46194–46202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  105. Lim A et al (2016) Co-dominant effect of selected natural dye sensitizers in DSSC performance. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectroscopy 167:26–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  106. Chang H, Lai XR (2016) Fabrication of natural sensitizer extracted from mixture of purple cabbage, roselle, wormwood and seaweed with high conversion efficiency for DSSC. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 16(2):2072–2075

    Article  Google Scholar 

  107. Kumara NTRN et al (2013) Layered co-sensitization for enhancement of conversion efficiency of natural dye sensitized solar cells. J Alloy Compd 581:186–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  108. Bidikoudi M et al (2015) Solidification of ionic liquid redox electrolytes using agarose biopolymer for highly performing dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 179:228–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  109. Adel R et al (2015) Effect of polymer electrolyte on the performance of natural dye sensitized solar cells. Superlattices Microstruct 86:62–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. Thambidurai M et al (2011) Dye-sensitized ZnO nanorod based photoelectrochemical solar cells with natural dyes extracted from Ixora coccinea, Mulberry and Beetroot. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 22(11):1662–1666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  111. Thambidurai M et al (2014) Rosa centifolia sensitized ZnO nanorods for photoelectrochemical solar cell applications. Sol Energy 106:143–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  112. Thankappan A et al (2015) Highly efficient betanin dye based ZnO and ZnO/Au Schottky barrier solar cell. Thin Solid Films 583:102–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  113. Furukawa S et al (2009) Characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells using natural dye. Thin Solid Films 518(2):526–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  114. Wongcharee K, Meeyoo V, Chavadej S (2007) Dye-sensitized solar cell using natural dyes extracted from rosella and blue pea flowers. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 91(7):566–571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  115. Luo PH et al (2009) From salmon pink to blue natural sensitizers for solar cells: Canna indica L., Salvia splendens, cowberry and Solanum nigrum L. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectro 74(4):936–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  116. Fernando J, Senadeera GKR (2008) Natural anthocyanins as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar devices. Curr Sci 95(5):663–666

    Google Scholar 

  117. Hao SC et al (2006) Natural dyes as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell. Sol Energy 80(2):209–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  118. Jin EM et al (2010) Photosensitization of nanoporous TiO2 films with natural dye. Phys Scripta T139

    Google Scholar 

  119. Calogero G, Di Marco G (2008) Red Sicilian orange and purple eggplant fruits as natural sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 92(11):1341–1346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  120. Polo AS, Murakami Iha NY (2006) Blue sensitizers for solar cells: natural dyes from Calafate and Jaboticaba. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 90(13):1936–1944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  121. Zhou H et al (2011) Dye-sensitized solar cells using 20 natural dyes as sensitizers. J Photochem Photobiol, A 219(2–3):188–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  122. Calogero G et al (2012) Anthocyanins and betalains as light-harvesting pigments for dye-sensitized solar cells. Sol Energy 86(5):1563–1575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  123. Garcia CG, Polo AS, Murakami Iha NY (2003) Fruit extracts and ruthenium polypyridinic dyes for sensitization of TiO2 in photoelectrochemical solar cells. J Photochem Photobiol, A 160(1–2):87–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  124. Hao S et al (2006) Natural dyes as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell. Sol Energy 80(2):209–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  125. Ali RAM, Nayan N (2010) Fabrication and analysis of dye-sensitized solar cell using natural dye extracted from dragon fruit. Int J Integr Eng 2:55–62

    Google Scholar 

  126. Boyo AO et al (2012) Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalin) for dye sensitized solar cell. Trends Appl Sci Res 7(7):558–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  127. Dumbravǎ A et al (2008) Dye-sensitized solar cells based on nanocrystalline TiO2 and natural pigments. J Optoelectron Adv Mater 10(11):2996–3002

    Google Scholar 

  128. Asuloju KA, Shitta MB, Justu S (2011) Effect of extracting solvents on the stability and performances of dye- sensitized solar cell prepared using extract from Lawsonia inermis. Fundam J Mod Phys 1(2):261–268

    Google Scholar 

  129. Shanmugam V et al (2013) Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated with extracts from fruits of ivy gourd and flowers of red frangipani as sensitizers. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 104:35–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  130. Hemalatha KV et al (2012) Performance of Kerria japonica and Rosa chinensis flower dyes as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 96:305–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  131. Senthil TS et al (2011) Natural dye (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cell fabricated using liquid electrolyte/quasi-solid-state polymer electrolyte. Renew Energy 36(9):2484–2488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  132. Hamadanian M et al (2014) Uses of new natural dye photosensitizers in fabrication of high potential dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Mater Sci Semicond Process 27:733–739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  133. Torchani A et al (2015) Sensitized solar cells based on natural dyes. Curr Appl Phys 15(3):307–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  134. Maurya IC, Srivastava P, Bahadur L (2016) Dye-sensitized solar cell using extract from petals of male flowers Luffa cylindrica L. as a natural sensitizer. Opt Mater 52:150–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  135. Phinjaturus K et al (2016) Dye-sensitized solar cells based on purple corn sensitizers. Appl Surf Sci 380:101–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  136. Ramamoorthy R et al (2016) Betalain and anthocyanin dye-sensitized solar cells. J Appl Electrochem 46(9):929–941

    Article  Google Scholar 

  137. Zhang D et al (2008) Betalain pigments for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 195(1):72–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  138. Calogero G et al (2010) Efficient dye-sensitized solar cells using red turnip and purple wild sicilian prickly pear fruits. Int J Mol Sci 11(1):254–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  139. Hernandez-Martinez AR et al (2011) New dye-sensitized solar cells obtained from extracted bracts of bougainvillea glabra and spectabilis betalain pigments by different purification processes. Int J Mol Sci 12(9):5565–5576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  140. Chang H, Lo YJ (2010) Pomegranate leaves and mulberry fruit as natural sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells. Sol Energy 84(10):1833–1837

    Article  Google Scholar 

  141. Chang H et al (2010) Dye-sensitized solar cell using natural dyes extracted from spinach and ipomoea. J Alloy Compd 495(2):606–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  142. Hernández-Martínez AR et al (2012) Natural pigment-based dye-sensitized solar cells. J Appl Res Technol 10(1):38–47

    Google Scholar 

  143. Kumara GRA et al (2006) Shiso leaf pigments for dye-sensitized solid-state solar cell. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 90(9):1220–1226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  144. Lai WH et al (2008) Commercial and natural dyes as photosensitizers for a water-based dye-sensitized solar cell loaded with gold nanoparticles. J Photochem Photobiol, A 195(2–3):307–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  145. Taya SA et al (2013) Dye-sensitized solar cells using fresh and dried natural dyes. Int J Mater Sci Applications 2(2):37–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  146. Calogero G et al (2014) Brown seaweed pigment as a dye source for photoelectrochemical solar cells. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 117:702–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  147. Gomez-Ortiz NM et al (2010) Dye-sensitized solar cells with natural dyes extracted from achiote seeds. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 94(1):40–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  148. Zhang D et al (2008) Betalain pigments for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Photochem Photobiol, A 195(1):72–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  149. Narayan MR (2012) Review: dye sensitized solar cells based on natural photosensitizers. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 16(1):208–215

    Google Scholar 

  150. Ludin NA et al (2014) Review on the development of natural dye photosensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 31:386–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  151. Hug H et al (2014) Biophotovoltaics: natural pigments in dye-sensitized solar cells. Appl Energy 115:216–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  152. Al-Alwani MAM et al (2016) Dye-sensitised solar cells: Development, structure, operation principles, electron kinetics, characterisation, synthesis materials and natural photosensitisers. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 65:183–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  153. Escobar MAM, Jaramillo F (2015) Natural dyes extraction, stability and application to dye-sensitized solar cells. J Renew Mater 3(4):281–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge to CNPq, FAPESP, and CAPES for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. dos Estados - 5001, Santo André - SP, 09210-170, Brazil

    Juliana dos Santos de Souza, Leilane Oliveira Martins de Andrade, Andressa Vidal Müller & André Sarto Polo

Authors
  1. Juliana dos Santos de Souza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leilane Oliveira Martins de Andrade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andressa Vidal Müller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. André Sarto Polo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to André Sarto Polo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Federal do ABC /Santo André , Santo André, Brazil

    Flavio L Souza

  2. Federal Univ Sao Carlos , Sao Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Edson R Leite

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

de Souza, J.d.S., de Andrade, L.O.M., Müller, A.V., Polo, A.S. (2018). Nanomaterials for Solar Energy Conversion: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Ruthenium(II) tris-Heteroleptic Compounds or Natural Dyes. In: Souza, F., Leite, E. (eds) Nanoenergy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62800-4_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation