We report here the first example of a covalent functional nanocarbon hybrid based on a benchmark metal-free donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) dye and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The dyad, prepared by direct arylation of the RGO surface by means of an aniline derivative of the D-π-A species, has been thoroughly characterized in terms of dye loading percentage and spectroscopic properties, in comparison with the reference free dye, pristine RGO, and with an analogous non-covalent dye-RGO hybrid. When used as a photosensitizing agent in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), the covalent hybrid demonstrated lower photovoltaic performances compared to the cell with the reference dye, a result that was mostly ascribed to the lower dye content of the former. Furthermore, the RGO based sensitizer showed stronger binding to the semiconductor oxide in comparison to the reference dye, paving the way to a new generation of DSSC photoanodes with improved chemical stability. This work demonstrates the full potential of the new class of hybrid sensitizers to equal or even exceed the photovoltaic performances achieved by standard organic photovoltaic sensitizers once molecular engineering of the functional nanocarbon hybrid has been refined.

Gatti, T., Manfredi, N., Boldrini, C., Lamberti, F., Abbotto, A., Menna, E. (2017). A D-π-A organic dye – Reduced graphene oxide covalent dyad as a new concept photosensitizer for light harvesting applications. CARBON, 115, 746-753 [10.1016/j.carbon.2017.01.081].

A D-π-A organic dye – Reduced graphene oxide covalent dyad as a new concept photosensitizer for light harvesting applications

MANFREDI, NORBERTO;BOLDRINI, CHIARA LILIANA;ABBOTTO, ALESSANDRO;
2017

Abstract

We report here the first example of a covalent functional nanocarbon hybrid based on a benchmark metal-free donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) dye and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The dyad, prepared by direct arylation of the RGO surface by means of an aniline derivative of the D-π-A species, has been thoroughly characterized in terms of dye loading percentage and spectroscopic properties, in comparison with the reference free dye, pristine RGO, and with an analogous non-covalent dye-RGO hybrid. When used as a photosensitizing agent in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), the covalent hybrid demonstrated lower photovoltaic performances compared to the cell with the reference dye, a result that was mostly ascribed to the lower dye content of the former. Furthermore, the RGO based sensitizer showed stronger binding to the semiconductor oxide in comparison to the reference dye, paving the way to a new generation of DSSC photoanodes with improved chemical stability. This work demonstrates the full potential of the new class of hybrid sensitizers to equal or even exceed the photovoltaic performances achieved by standard organic photovoltaic sensitizers once molecular engineering of the functional nanocarbon hybrid has been refined.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Dye sensitized solar cells; Functional nanocarbon hybrids; Graphene-based materials; Metal free dyes; Photosensitizers;
solar cells, graphene, dyes, organic chemistry
English
2017
115
746
753
reserved
Gatti, T., Manfredi, N., Boldrini, C., Lamberti, F., Abbotto, A., Menna, E. (2017). A D-π-A organic dye – Reduced graphene oxide covalent dyad as a new concept photosensitizer for light harvesting applications. CARBON, 115, 746-753 [10.1016/j.carbon.2017.01.081].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
15-Carbon 2017, 115, 746.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Descrizione: Articolo principale
Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Dimensione 1.05 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.05 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
2017_Carbon_115_746.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Dimensione 1.15 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.15 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/142208
Citazioni
  • Scopus 23
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 21
Social impact