Substitution of Ethynyl-Thiophene Chromophores on Ruthenium Sensitizers: Influence on Thermal and Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Scheme 1

Synthesis route for MC101 sensitizer, (i) TIPS acetylene, Pd(PPh₃)Cl_2, CuI, TEA, 100°C, 20 hours, 80%, (ii) TBAF, THF, 12 hours, RT, 65%, (iii) Mg, C₆H₁₃Br, ether, RT, 5 hours, 90%; (iv) I₂, HgO, ether, RT, 1 hour, 80%, (v) TEA, THF, Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂, CuI, 70°C, 24 hours, 80%, (vi) a. Ru-p-cymene complex, DMF, 60–70°C, 4 hours, b. 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, NH₄NCS, DMF, reflux, 8 hours 60%.