Exploring Structure-Property Relationships in a Family of Ferrocene-Containing, Triphenylamine-Based Hybrid Organic Dyes

In this work, a new family of triphenylamine-based dyes equipped with ferrocene (Fc)-containing donors have been synthesized, characterized, and studied within dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). With the objective designing redox-robust iron-containing dye that effectively sensitizes titania, five structurally related containing were prepared. The physicochemical properties all dyestuffs using UV-Vis electrochemical measurements. Different cross-coupling strategies resulted in ability to modestly tune Fc/Fc+ redox potentials dye. Despite Fc-containing having optoelectronic consistent non-ferrocene parent dye, performance devices was dismal decreased number appended ferrocenes. While finding previous attempts explore Fc-TPA DSSC dyes, our spectroelectrochemical data supports hypothesis component is oxidized by electrolyte, ultimately decreasing dye’s be suitable sensitizer. these are not for applications, they might find applications other photo-induced integrated where charge recombination minimal.