Synthesis and application of polyethyleneoxide sensitizer for DSSC

Abstract

The gradual depletion of fossil fuel resources, along with the increasing growth in environmental pollution, has sparked an urgent demand for sustainable, clean energy sources. Solar energy has the greatest potential to meet the worldwide need for clean energy sources, yet converting solar energy to electricity is one of the most difficult technical challenges. With the shortage of fossil fuels and rising environmental difficulties, solar energy has earned a lot of attention as a form of pro-environmental energy option. Because of its low cost, minimal materials and process requirements, and high photoelectric conversion efficiency, dye-sensitized solar cells have been a common topic of concern among the solar cells created thus far, in comparison to inorganic semiconductor solar cells. Photosensitive dyes are recognized to form the heart of dye-sensitized solar cells since they are utilized to capture natural sunlight and introduce excited-state electrons into the conduction band of the nano-semiconductor. If it is possible to develop and synthesize an organic dye with good photoelectric efficiency, it is a needed precursor for a solar cell with high photoelectric conversion efficiency. In this thesis, we designed and synthesized three D-D-π-A type dyes based on Triphenylamine derivatives and Phenothiazine derivatives. The innovative introduction of Diallyldimethylammonium unit in the dye molecule is expected to make the DSSC cell exhibit satisfactory photovoltaic conversion efficiency even when the concentration of iodine-based compounds in the electrolyte is insufficient. In addition, to stabilize the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Jsc) of the DSSC cell, we introduced the triethylene oxide methyl ether (TEOME) unit in the dye. Based on this, three APT series dyes were synthesized. Both chemical synthesis approaches and dye-sensitized solar cell production methods are covered in this thesis. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of organic dyes, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry of the organic dyes generated were investigated. Metal-free dye-sensitized solar cells based on sensitizers are discussed and conclusions are drawn. It is planned to serve as a resource for both practice and theory in the design, manufacture, and application of organic dye molecules.