Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have attracted considerable attention in recent years as they offer the possibility of low-cost conversion of photovoltaic energy This Review focuses on recent advances in molecular design and technological aspects of metal-free organic dyes for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells Special attention has been paid to the design principles of these dyes and on the effect of various electrolyte systems Cosensitization, an emerging technique to extend the absorption range, is also discussed as a way to improve the performance of the device In addition, we report on inverted dyes for photocathodes, which constitutes a relatively new approach for the production of tandem cells Special consideration has been paid to the correlation between the molecular structure and physical properties to their performance in DSSCs

Metal-Free Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: From Structure: Property Relationships to Design Rules

J-aggregates are of significant interest for organic materials conceived by supramolecular approaches. Their discovery in the 1930s represents one of the most important milestones in dye chemistry as well as the germination of supramolecular chemistry. The intriguing optical properties of J-aggregates (in particular, very narrow red-shifted absorption bands with respect to those of the monomer and their ability to delocalize and migrate excitons) as well as their prospect for applications have motivated scientists to become involved in this field, and numerous contributions have been published. This Review provides an overview on the J-aggregates of a broad variety of dyes (including cyanines, porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and perylene bisimides) created by using supramolecular construction principles, and discusses their optical and photophysical properties as well as their potential applications. Thus, this Review is intended to be of interest to the supramolecular, photochemistry, and materials science communities.

J-aggregates: from serendipitous discovery to supramolecular engineering of functional dye materials.

The nonradiative conversion of light energy into heat (photothermal therapy, PTT) or sound energy (photoacoustic imaging, PAI) has been intensively investigated for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, respectively. By taking advantage of nanocarriers, both imaging and therapeutic functions together with enhanced tumour accumulation have been thoroughly studied to improve the pre-clinical efficiency of PAI and PTT. In this review, we first summarize the development of inorganic and organic nano photothermal transduction agents (PTAs) and strategies for improving the PTT outcomes, including applying appropriate laser dosage, guiding the treatment via imaging techniques, developing PTAs with absorption in the second NIR window, increasing photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), and also increasing the accumulation of PTAs in tumours. Second, we introduce the advantages of combining PTT with other therapies in cancer treatment. Third, the emerging applications of PAI in cancer-related research are exemplified. Finally, the perspectives and challenges of PTT and PAI for combating cancer, especially regarding their clinical translation, are discussed. We believe that PTT and PAI having noteworthy features would become promising next-generation non-invasive cancer theranostic techniques and improve our ability to combat cancers.

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Photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging via nanotheranostics in fighting cancer

The long wavelength (far-red to NIR) analyte-responsive fluorescent probes are advantageous for in vivo bioimaging because of minimum photo-damage to biological samples, deep tissue penetration, and minimum interference from background auto-fluorescence by biomolecules in the living systems. Thus, great interest in the development of new long wavelength analyte-responsive fluorescent probes has emerged in recent years. This review highlights the advances in the development of far-red to NIR fluorescent probes since 2000, and the probes are classified according to their organic dye platforms into various categories, including cyanines, rhodamine analogues, BODIPYs, squaraines, and other types (240 references).

Far-red to near infrared analyte-responsive fluorescent probes based on organic fluorophore platforms for fluorescence imaging

Cyanines during the 1990s: A Review

The synthesis of a class of hitherto unreported spiro derivatives containing a benzochromanone moiety via very simple cyclocondensation reactions is described.

Synthesis of Spiroheterocycles Derived from Benzo[f]chromanone.

Cyanines During the 1990s: A Review

The reaction proceeds through an unprecedented hydride transfer from tetrahydroquinoline to arylaldehydes.

Para Substituted Benzaldehydes as Expedient Reagents for the Oxidative Aromatization of Hydroquinoline.

The species of Sida ( Malvaceae) are annual or perennial herbs or under shrubs, mostly distributed in tropics and sub tropics of the world. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of various Phytoconstituents such as Alkaloids, Phenols, Flavonoids, Proteins and amino acids. However, it also contains small amount of Carbohydrates and glycosides. Total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash were 3.5%, 2.0% and 1.0% respectively. Extractive value results showed the plant had high percentage (4.8 %) of methanol soluble extract in comparison to pet. ether extract. Quantitative estimation showed the presence of carbohydrate 5.39% in Phenol Sulphuric Acid Method and 5.39% in anthrone reagent method, protein 9.38%, phenol 8.54%, ascorbic acid 13.0% and tannins 0.1%.

Phytochemical screening of the root of Sida acuta Burm. F.

The polymerization kinetics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was studied, using Tl(III)-cyclohexanone (CH) redox system as initiator, in the presence of emulsifier [i.e., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and thallium triacetate (TX-100)] over a temperature range of 25–45°C. The effect of various concentrations of MMA, Tl(III), cyclohexanone, H+, and varying ionic strengths on the rate of polymerization, rate of Tl(III) consumption (−RTl), and the percentage of monomer conversion were examined in the presence of 0.015M SDS. The kinetic results of polymerization in the absence and presence of 0.015M SDS were compared in terms of overall activation energy (Ea) for the process. The viscosity-average molecular weight (MV) of the polymers, obtained in the presence of varying concentrations of anionic surfactant (SDS), was also determined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2480–2485, 2004

Rajani K. Behera

Papers

Synthesis of Spiroheterocycles Derived from Benzo[f]chromanone.

Cyanines During the 1990s: A Review

Para Substituted Benzaldehydes as Expedient Reagents for the Oxidative Aromatization of Hydroquinoline.

Phytochemical screening of the root of Sida acuta Burm. F.

Tl(III) initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate in micellar phase