ABSTRACT
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have attracted much attention
because they present a highly promising alternative to conventional
photovoltaic devices based on silicon [1-3]. In nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells sensitized with a dye, efficiencies of conversion of light
to electric power up to 11% have been obtained with polypyridyl
ruthenium complexes [4, 5]. The advantages of using such ruthe-
nium complexes are that they exhibit broad absorption in the
near UV and visible regions and appropriate excited-state oxidation
potentials for electron injection into the conduction band of TiO2 [6].
The cost, rarity, and environmental issues of ruthenium complexes
limit their wide application and encourage exploration of cheaper
and safer sensitizers.
