Photoactive curcumin-derived dyes with surface anchoring moieties used in ZnO nanoparticle-based dye-sensitized solar cells

作者：Ganesh T; Kim Jong Hoon; Yoon Seog Joon; Kil Byung Ho; Maldar N N; Han Jin Wook^*; Han Sung Hwan

来源：Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2010, 123(1): 62-66.

DOI：10.1016/j.matchemphys.2010.03.062

• Curcumin
• Anchoring groups
• ZnO nanoparticles
• Solar cell

Photoactive, eco-friendly and high molar extinction coefficient, curcumin-derived dyes (BCMoxo and BCtCM) have been explored in ZnO nanoparticles (NPs)-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The boron complex curcumin dyes modified with di-carboxylic anchor groups (BCtCM) provided surface attachment with a strong UV-vis region absorption than the dye molecule without anchor groups (BCMoxo). Photoanodes primed with poly-dispersive ZnO NPs (similar to 80-50 nm) specifically devised for these dyes and optimized for the critical thickness, sensitization time and concentration using a solvent-free ionic electrolyte so as to get current density as high as 1.66 mA/cm(2) under 80 mW/cm(2) irradiation. Therefore, a successful conversion of visible light into electricity by using these curcumin-derived dyes (natural derived photoactive molecules) as photosensitizer in DSSCs would be a great interest in future studies for enhancing further conversion efficiencies.

• 出版日期2010-9-1