Nuclear chemistry

Catalysis

Salicylaldehyde

Adsorption

Engineering

Polymer chemistry

Electrochemistry

Photochemistry

Materials science

Cyclic voltammetry

Cholesterol

Biochemistry

Inorganic chemistry

Chemical engineering

Zinc

Physical chemistry

Condensation reaction

Organic chemistry

Chenodeoxycholic acid

Dye-sensitized solar cell

Chemistry

Electrode

Schiff base

Electrolyte

Solar Energy

The condensation of 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylaldehyde with 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid afforded two salophen type Schiff base ligands, L1 and L2, respectively. Subsequently, their corresponding platinum(II) and zinc(II) salophen complexes (PtL1, PtL2, ZnL1 and ZnL2) were synthesized through the reaction of the two salophen ligands with potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II) and zinc(II) acetate, respectively. The structures of the metallosalophen complexes were characterized by 1H NMR, infrared spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Their photophysical properties and cyclic voltammetry behaviours were investigated in detail. Using these complexes as photosensitizers, the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were prepared and inferior performances were recorded due to their planar structures and significant aggregations. Upon the addition of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) as co-adsorbents, the aggregation behaviours could be effectively inhibited and the cell performances could be enhanced with the highest power conversion efficiency up to 2.57% for PtL1. Considering the simplicity in the preparation and the structure variability, these metallosalophen complexes represent a new class of photosensitizers for DSSC applications.

Enhanced efficiency with CDCA co-adsorption for dye-sensitized solar cells based on metallosalophen complexes