Carlo Alberto Bignozzi

Bio: Carlo Alberto Bignozzi is an academic researcher from University of Ferrara. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ruthenium & Electron transfer. The author has an hindex of 52, co-authored 229 publications receiving 12421 citations. Previous affiliations of Carlo Alberto Bignozzi include University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Engineering of Efficient Panchromatic Sensitizers for Nanocrystalline TiO2-Based Solar Cells

Abstract: A new series of panchromatic ruthenium(II) sensitizers derived from carboxylated terpyridyl complexes of tris-thiocyanato Ru(II) have been developed. Black dye containing different degrees of protonation {(C2H5)3NH}[Ru(H3tcterpy)(NCS)3] 1, {(C4H9)4N}2[Ru(H2tcterpy)(NCS)3] 2, {(C4H9)4N}3[Ru(Htcterpy)(NCS)3] 3, and {(C4H9)4N}4[Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)3] 4 (tcterpy = 4,4‘,4‘ ‘-tricarboxy-2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine) have been synthesized and fully characterized by UV−vis, emission, IR, Raman, NMR, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure of complex 2 confirms the presence of a RuIIN6 central core derived from the terpyridine ligand and three N-bonded thiocyanates. Intermolecular H-bonding between carboxylates on neighboring terpyridines gives rise to 2-D H-bonded arrays. The absorption and emission maxima of the black dye show a bathochromic shift with decreasing pH and exhibit pH-dependent excited-state lifetimes. The red-shift of the emission maxima is due to better π-acceptor properti...

Substituted polypyridine complexes of cobalt(II/III) as efficient electron-transfer mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Abstract: A number of cobalt complexes of substituted polypyridine ligands were synthesized and investigated as possible alternatives to the volatile and corrosive iodide/triiodide redox couple commonly used as an electron-transfer mediator in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The extinction coefficients in the visible spectrum are on the order of 10(2) M(-1) cm(-1) for the majority of these complexes, diminishing competition with the light-harvesting dye. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed a dramatic surface dependence of the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate, which is surprisingly different for gold, carbon, and platinum electrodes. DSSCs were assembled using a mediator that consisted of a mixture of Co(II) and Co(III) complexes in a 10:1 ratio. DSSCs containing these mediators were used to characterize incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency and photoelectrochemical responses. The best performing of these mediators were identified and subjected to further study. As suggested by electrochemical results, gold and carbon are superior cathode materials to platinum, and no evidence of corrosion on any cathode material was observed. Addition of lithium salts to the mediator solution resulted in a dramatic improvement in cell performance. The observed Li(+) effect is explained in terms of the recombination of injected electrons in the photoanode with the oxidized mediator. The best mediator, based on tris(4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl)cobalt(II/III) perchlorate, resulted in DSSCs exhibiting efficiencies within 80% of that of a comparable iodide/triiodide-mediated DSSC. Due to the commercial availability of the ligand and the simplicity with which the complex can be made, this new mediator represents a nonvolatile, noncorrosive, and practical alternative as an efficient electron-transfer mediator in DSSCs.

Enhanced spectral sensitivity from ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl based photovoltaic devices

Abstract: The authors study photovoltaic energy conversion with electrodes coated with the novel ruthenium polypyridyl compounds, cis-[4,4{prime}-(CO{sub 2}H)-2,2{prime}-bipyridine]{sub 2}Ru(X){sub 2} and cis-[5,5{prime}-(CO{sub 2}H){sub 2}-2,2{prime}-bipyridine]{sub 2}Ru(X){sub 2} (X = Cl{sup {minus}}, CN{sup {minus}}, SCN{sup {minus}}). The efficiency and mechanism of photocurrent production for these electrodes is discussed.

Phosphonate-based bipyridine dyes for stable photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: The series of Ru(II) polypyridyl compounds shown bind to metal oxide surfaces through the phosphonic acid groups. Ground and excited state properties of the Ru(II) complexes were characterized in fluid solution and when anchored to nanocrystalline ZrO2 and TiO2 thin films. In regenerative solar cells, the complexes bound to TiO2 efficiently convert light into electricity. The position of the phosphonic acid groups on the bipyridine ligand and the introduction of a methylene spacer allow fine-tuning of the light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiencies.

A low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO2 films

Abstract: THE large-scale use of photovoltaic devices for electricity generation is prohibitively expensive at present: generation from existing commercial devices costs about ten times more than conventional methods1. Here we describe a photovoltaic cell, created from low-to medium-purity materials through low-cost processes, which exhibits a commercially realistic energy-conversion efficiency. The device is based on a 10-µm-thick, optically transparent film of titanium dioxide particles a few nanometres in size, coated with a monolayer of a charge-transfer dye to sensitize the film for light harvesting. Because of the high surface area of the semiconductor film and the ideal spectral characteristics of the dye, the device harvests a high proportion of the incident solar energy flux (46%) and shows exceptionally high efficiencies for the conversion of incident photons to electrical current (more than 80%). The overall light-to-electric energy conversion yield is 7.1-7.9% in simulated solar light and 12% in diffuse daylight. The large current densities (greater than 12 mA cm-2) and exceptional stability (sustaining at least five million turnovers without decomposition), as well as the low cost, make practical applications feasible.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer the possibilities to design solar cells with a large flexibility in shape, color, and transparency. DSC research groups have been established around the worl ...

Porphyrin-Sensitized Solar Cells with Cobalt (II/III)–Based Redox Electrolyte Exceed 12 Percent Efficiency

Abstract: The iodide/triiodide redox shuttle has limited the efficiencies accessible in dye-sensitized solar cells. Here, we report mesoscopic solar cells that incorporate a Co(II/III)tris(bipyridyl)–based redox electrolyte in conjunction with a custom synthesized donor-π-bridge-acceptor zinc porphyrin dye as sensitizer (designated YD2-o-C8). The specific molecular design of YD2-o-C8 greatly retards the rate of interfacial back electron transfer from the conduction band of the nanocrystalline titanium dioxide film to the oxidized cobalt mediator, which enables attainment of strikingly high photovoltages approaching 1 volt. Because the YD2-o-C8 porphyrin harvests sunlight across the visible spectrum, large photocurrents are generated. Cosensitization of YD2-o-C8 with another organic dye further enhances the performance of the device, leading to a measured power conversion efficiency of 12.3% under simulated air mass 1.5 global sunlight.