Solution-processable coordination polymers for counter-electrode in DSSCs

Simone Galliano^a, Marcello Franzini^a, Kezia Sasitharan^b, George H. Morritt^b, Marco Zanetti^a, Marco Borri^c, Andrea Reale^d, Marina Freitag^b, Claudia Barolo^a^,^e^,^f

^aDepartment of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental and INSTM Reference Centre. University of Turin, Torino, Italy

^bSchool of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

^cMartur Italy srl, Grugliasco (TO), Italy.

^dDepartment of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata-CHOSE, Roma, Italy

^eInstitute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, National Research Council of Italy, Faenza, Italy

^fICxT Interdepartmental Center, University of Turin, Torino, Italy

Proceedings of International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV25)

Roma, Italy, 2025 May 12th - 14th

Organizers: Filippo De Angelis, Francesca Brunetti and Claudia Barolo

Oral, Simone Galliano, presentation 204
Publication date: 17th February 2025

Although silicon-based photovoltaic technology currently leads the market, it is hindered by challenges such as limited raw material availability and reduced performance under low or diffuse light. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) present a compelling alternative, offering low cost, simple fabrication, and enhanced versatility, including the potential for flexibility and transparency. DSSCs rely on a photoelectrochemical reaction involving photoanode, dye, redox electrolyte, and counter-electrode (CE). While most of the research focuses on investigating and optimizing dye and electrolyte, the CE plays a critical role in determining the overall photovoltaic performance; yet the most commonly used CEs are based on Platinum and PEDOT. Broadening the range of CEs is essential for improving DSSC efficiency and facilitating the development of novel redox couples and dyes [1]. In this contribution, a series of metal-sulfur coordination polymers have been synthesized, characterized and successfully adopted as counter-electrodes for DSSCs [2]. Even if insoluble, such systems have been effectively processed from liquid dispersions without additives and have been subjected to thorough chemical and physical characterization. These materials appear as highly delocalized systems featuring low activation energies, high electrical conductivity, and good thermo-oxidative behaviour. They have been adopted as CEs in DSSCs showing comparable photovoltaic performance to standard Pt and PEDOT based CEs and exceeding 10% conversion efficiencies. This research paves the way for the development of innovative metal-coordination polymers for high-performing counter electrodes in solar cells.

References:

[1] Ding, S.; Yuan, J.; Li, H.; Yuan, X.; Li M. An overview of the preparation and application of counter electrodes for DSSCs. RSC Advances 2023, 13, 12309

[2] Sun, Y.; Sheng, P.; Di, C.; Jiao, F.; Xu, W.; Qiu, D.; Zhu, D. Organic Thermoelectric Materials and Devices Based on p- and n-Type Poly(metal 1,1,2,2-ethenetetrathiolate)s. Adv. Mater. 2012, 24, 932

Acknowledgements:

Authors acknowledges support from the Project CH4.0 under the MUR program "Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2023-2027" (CUP: D13C22003520001). M.Franzini acknowledges the support from Martur Italy srl.

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