Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhemin Li, Qizhao Li, Chengjie Li, Yongshu Xie
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have the advantages of environmental friendliness, easy fabrication, and rich colors, making them promising for applications in architectural decoration and power supply for low energy devices. However, porphyrin dyes used in DSSCs still suffer from absorption defects and aggregation tendencies. In order to address these issues, various approaches have been developed to achieve panchromatic absorption and high efficiency.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mikko Kokkonen, Parisa Talebi, Jin Zhou, Somayyeh Asgari, Sohail Ahmed Soomro, Farid Elsehrawy, Janne Halme, Shahzada Ahmad, Anders Hagfeldt, Syed Ghufran Hashmi
Summary: This paper reviews the recent progress in DSSC research to achieve high photovoltaic efficiency and performance stability under typical indoor conditions by developing new device structures, alternative redox shuttles, solid-state hole conductors, TiO2 photoelectrodes, catalyst materials, and sealing techniques. It proposes a scalable cell fabrication process that integrates these developments to a new monolithic cell design based on several features. Finally, the need to design new stability testing protocols to assess the probable deployment of DSSCs in portable electronics and internet-of-things devices is discussed.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jincheng An, Zhifeng Tian, Li Zhang, Xichuan Yang, Bin Cai, Ze Yu, Liyan Zhang, Anders Hagfeldt, Licheng Sun
Summary: Three novel push-pull dyes, AJ502, TZ101 and TZ102, were synthesized and used as co-sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Among them, the co-sensitization of AJ502 with TZ101 and TZ102 significantly improves the power conversion efficiency of the DSSC, with the fluorine atoms in TZ101 playing a critical role in widening the active light capturing bands on the TiO2 film.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Belen Munoz-Garcia, Iacopo Benesperi, Gerrit Boschloo, Javier J. Concepcion, Jared H. Delcamp, Elizabeth A. Gibson, Gerald J. Meyer, Michele Pavone, Henrik Pettersson, Anders Hagfeldt, Marina Freitag
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have seen a revival in recent years as they offer unique properties such as low cost, non-toxic materials, colorfulness, transparency, and efficiency in low light conditions. This review covers advancements in DSC technology over the past decade, including theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications, and commercialization efforts by various companies.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fatima Santos, Dzmitry Ivanou, Adelio Mendes
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have unique features such as colorfulness, potential transparency, flexibility, and low cost, suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. However, compared to conventional DSSCs, MDSSCs have lower power conversion efficiencies.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dinesh Nugegoda, Shrabanti Bhattacharya, Leigh Anna Hunt, Samantha J. Schwartz, Zane H. Turner, Nathan Hammer, Jonah W. Jurss, Jared H. Delcamp
Summary: Productive electron transfer between dye and redox shuttle is crucial for high-performing dye-sensitized solar cells. This study demonstrates that noncovalent self-assembly of dye and redox shuttle via g-stacking interactions can increase the electron transfer rate. The use of a dye with pyrene-based donor group and a redox shuttle with pyrene substitution leads to enhanced dye regeneration and reduced recombination rate. A power conversion efficiency of 22.8% is achieved under fluorescent lighting conditions.
Article
Electrochemistry
Jeanet Conradie
Summary: This mini review briefly discusses the developments on the application of polypyridyl-based copper complexes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Copper complexes can be used as dye sensitizers and/or as redox mediators in DSSCs. The abundance and low cost of copper make it a cheaper and non-toxic alternative to the commonly used iodide/triiodide electrolyte redox couple and the expensive and rare ruthenium-based dyes.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Neha Patni, Shibu G. Pillai
Summary: This paper discusses the photovoltaic investigation of novel and efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. A less toxic alternative using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as charge collectors is suggested for toxic indium-based glass substrates. Additionally, a mixture of polymer (polyaniline) and an iodide-triiodide couple is used as the electrolyte to reduce the amount of iodine. The study includes UV-vis spectroscopy for dye absorption, SEM images for morphological study, and measurements of I-V, IPCE, and LHE.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nick Vlachopoulos, Anders Hagfeldt, Iacopo Benesperi, Marina Freitag, Ghufran Hashmi, Guobin Jia, Ruri Agung Wahyuono, Jonathan Plentz, Benjamin Dietzek
Summary: This paper discusses issues related to the current direction of DSSC research, focusing on the transition from iodide-containing electrolyte to alternative CTMs, introducing new dyes and counter electrodes in the process. The recent developments of CTMs based on Cu coordination complexes and their associated novel dyes are discussed in detail.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
David Moe Almenningen, Henrik Erring Hansen, Audun Formo Buene, Bard Helge Hoff, Odd Reidar Gautun
Summary: To achieve high photocurrents, it is essential for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) to effectively absorb sunlight. This study investigates the use of oligothiophene pi-spacers in triarylamine dyes and assesses their suitability for modern copper based DSSC devices. The results show that the dye with the smallest pi-spacer, dithieno[3,2-b:2',3' -d]thiophene, exhibited the highest efficiency. The DSSC device sensitized by this dye achieved a power conversion efficiency of 4.4%. Additionally, thinner TiO2 layers were found to result in better DSSC performance for all the dyes tested.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shanmuganathan Venkatesan, Nguyen Huong Tra My, Hsisheng Teng, Yuh-Lang Lee
Summary: Thin films of solid-state polymer electrolytes (SSPEs) have been developed for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) for the first time. Gel-electrolytes are prepared by utilizing a blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) and an acetonitrile-based iodide liquid electrolyte, and then cast onto a glass substrate to fabricate solvent-free SSPEs by evaporating the solvent. The SSPE films are sandwiched between photoelectrodes and counter electrodes to assemble the solid-state DSCs, and the PCE can be improved by introducing TiO2 nanofillers in the SSPEs. The high stability of the solid-state DSCs is demonstrated with a retention of 98% of their original efficiency after a 700-hour test period.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Subarna Rudra, Hyun Woo Seo, Subrata Sarker, Dong Min Kim
Summary: The study focuses on simulating the steady-state j-V characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), considering various kinetic processes and critical parameters. The model successfully reproduced the j-V curves of the DSSCs, providing valuable insights into the photovoltaic performance of these cells.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kicheon Yoo, Narayan Chandra Deb Nath, Hyeong Cheol Kang, Senthilkumar Muthu, Jae-Joon Lee
Summary: By optimizing the electrolyte and utilizing a binary redox couple, DSSCs show improved transparency and voltage, leading to enhanced performance compared to traditional DSSCs.
ECS JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Carolina Hora, Fatima Santos, Maria Goreti Ferreira Sales, Dzmitry Ivanou, Adelio Miguel Mendes
Summary: This study investigates the optimization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for indoor applications and explores the impact of various factors on charge transfer, recombination, and photovoltaic response. The optimized DSSCs demonstrate great potential as efficient indoor photovoltaics and back-illuminated devices.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessia Colombo, Claudia Dragonetti, Dominique Roberto, Francesco Fagnani
Summary: Copper complexes have shown great potential as convenient and cheap alternatives to traditional ruthenium dyes in DSSCs, also acting as redox mediators to address issues related to the I-3(-)/I- redox couple. Their impact in the design of eco-sustainable DSSCs has been significant.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Futa Ogawa, Yukiko Karuo, Ryuji Yamazawa, Kanae Miyanaga, Kazushige Hori, Keita Tani, Kengo Yamada, Yuki Saito, Kazumasa Funabik, Atsushi Tarui, Kazuyuki Sato, Kiyoshi Ito, Kentaro Kawai, Masaaki Omote
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ryunosuke Kani, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Kubota, Kazumasa Funabiki
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Miki Matsuda, Yasuhiro Kubota, Kazumasa Funabiki, Daisuke Uemura, Toshiyasu Inuzuka
TETRAHEDRON LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Kazumasa Funabiki, Kengo Yamada, Hisaki Matsueda, Yuta Arisawa, Tomohiro Agou, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Hiroaki Wasada
Summary: The introduction of a perfluorophenyloxy group at the 5-position of 3,3-dibutyl-2-methyl-3H-indole efficiently enhances aggregation-induced emission in both the crystalline solid-state and in highly concentrated ethanolic solutions of the resultant analog. This phenomenon is attributed to aggregate formation due to perfluorophenyl-perfluorophenyl stacking between the 3H-indole units.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yasuhiro Kubota, Kenta Koide, Yuka Mizuno, Masato Nakazawa, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Kazumasa Funabiki, Hiroyasu Sato, Masaki Matsui
Summary: Unsymmetrical 1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrroles were synthesised and their absorption and fluorescence properties were investigated. Different substituents led to significant differences in the emission wavelength, while the fluorescence properties were also affected by the solvent environment.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ryunosuke Kani, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Kubota, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: We have developed a functional-group-tolerant one-pot method for synthesizing various 3-substituted 1-trifluoromethylpropargyl alcohols. This method involves three successive reactions and can be applied to different fluorine-containing esters and terminal alkynes. The obtained products can be further transformed into important compounds for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuta Arisawa, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: In this study, near-infrared-absorbing anionic heptamethine cyanine (HMC) dyes were synthesized and their photostability and halochromic properties were investigated. By substituting the methyl groups of the anionic HMC dye with phenyl or perfluorophenyl groups, the maximum absorption wavelengths of the dye solutions were red-shifted, and the photostability of the dye in solution under white LED irradiation was improved. The anionic HMC dye with methyl groups exhibited halochromic properties, causing the solution color to change from green to yellow in the presence of acids. This study presents the first reported anionic HMC dye with halochromic properties. Additionally, a stimuli-responsive filter paper adsorbed with anionic HMC dyes was developed, showing color changes from green to yellow upon exposure to HCl gas and from yellow to green upon subsequent exposure to NH3 gas.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Kazumasa Funabiki, Kengo Yamada, Yuta Arisawa, Arina Watanabe, Tomohiro Agou, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Yohei Miwa, Taro Udagawa, Shoichi Kutsumizu
Summary: A series of perfluoronaphthalene-based donor-acceptor-donor fluorescent dyes were successfully synthesized using a one-step route. The perfluoronaphthalene moiety served as a good electron-accepting aromatic ring with excellent intramolecular charge transfer properties. Replacing the naphthalene ring with perfluoronaphthalene stabilized the energy levels and reduced the energy band gap, leading to a change in the emission color. Among the synthesized dyes, those with diphenylamino groups showed the highest fluorescence quantum yields in solution and film, while the dye with carbazoyl group exhibited the highest fluorescence quantum yield in the crystalline state.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroki Masuoka, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: A new anionic heptamethine cyanine (HMC) dye with two trifluoromethyl groups has been synthesized, which selectively absorbs near-infrared light. Compared with previously studied anionic HMC dyes with substituents such as methyl, phenyl, and pentafluorophenyl groups, the trifluoromethylated dye exhibits a red-shifted maximum absorption wavelength (e.g. 948 nm in CH2Cl2) and enhanced photostability. Furthermore, HMC dyes with broad absorption in the near-infrared region are synthesized by combining a trifluoromethylated anionic HMC dye with a cationic HMC dye as a counterion.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuki Uehashi, Seiichiro Izawa, Yuya Yamada, Yohei Miwa, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Kubota, Masahiro Hiramoto, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: We studied the photodegradation of non-fluorinated benzoindolenine-based SQ dyes with low photostability in solution and proposed a hypothesis to improve their photostability. The replacement of hydrogen atoms with fluorine atoms or methylation of the oxygen anions resulted in improved photostability. Furthermore, the synthesized SQ dyes with bulky fluorine-containing anions provided a higher Voc for organic photovoltaics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ryunosuke Kani, Yohei Miwa, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Shoichi Kutsumizu, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: Our optically CO2-responsive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer undergoes rapid and reversible color changes in the presence of CO2 gas. Unlike conventional optically CO2-responsive polymeric materials, it functions in totally dry gaseous conditions.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mikiko Shibayama, Yuki Uehashi, Shouhei Ajioka, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: Here, we introduce an organic-inorganic hybrid material consisting of an indolenine-based heptamethine cyanine dye adsorbed on silica gel. This material exhibits vapochromism towards amines or chlorinated solvents, resulting in a color change.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ryunosuke Kani, Yasuhiro Kubota, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Kazumasa Funabiki
Summary: This study proposes a powerful method of introducing multiple fluorine atoms into the aromatic rings of trimethine cyanine dyes to significantly increase sensitivity to amines. The highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescence properties, previously only usable in intramolecular addition reactions, can now be utilized in reactions with intermolecular amines or other nucleophiles.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yasuhiro Kubota, Masato Nakazawa, Junheon Lee, Ryoma Naoi, Motoki Tachikawa, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Kazumasa Funabiki, Masaki Matsui, Taekyeong Kim
Summary: The study focused on the synthesis of 1,3- and 1,2-Bis(pyrrol-2-yl)squaraines and discussed their maximum absorption wavelength characteristics. It was found that the thiophene-fused 1,3-squaraine exhibited near-infrared absorption and fluorescence. Additionally, protonation could modulate the absorption wavelength, indicating that mono-cationization is an effective strategy for achieving a red-shift in the wavelength.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Kazumasa Funabiki, Toshiya Gotoh, Ryunosuke Kani, Toshiyasu Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Kubota
Summary: This study developed a highly selective method for synthesizing erythritols bearing a trifluoromethyl group, involving the in situ generation of unstable trifluoroacetaldehyde through organocatalysis and achieving high yield, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Fuying Zhu, Yamei Lin
Summary: In this study, a low-metal iron-supported catalyst (Fe20/NC-Mg) was reported for the efficient synthesis of quinoxaline compounds, using water as a solvent and without additional bases. The synergistic effect of FeNx site and Mg (OH)2 nanorods in the catalyst played a key role in achieving high yields (82-91%) in 16 examples. The gram-level synthesis and reusability of the catalysts after four cycles demonstrated its industrial application potential.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Mikhail Kozlov, Alexey Tyurin, Andrey Dmitrenok, Vyacheslav Rusak, Aleksander Fedorov, Igor Zavarzin, Yulia Volkova
Summary: This study presents a novel and practical synthesis method for phosphorus-substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazolines using phosphorylthioformic acid hydrazides and ketones. The protocol demonstrates operational simplicity, availability of reagents, and tolerance towards different functional groups.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jisna Jose, Thomas Mathew
Summary: 2-Cyclopentenone and its derivatives are highly esteemed synthetic intermediates with exceptional utility in organic synthesis. They are favored structural motifs in numerous pharmaceutical drugs and natural products, highlighting their significance. The review discusses the various methods used to synthesize cyclopentenones from 2016 to 2023.