Faculty Publications
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/18736
Publications by NITK Faculty
Browse
10 results
Search Results
Item Synthesis, Characterization and Performance Studies of a New Metal-Free Organic Sensitizer for DSSC application(Elsevier Ltd, 2018) Naik, P.; Babu, D.D.; Su, R.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.In this present work we report, design, synthesis and performance studies of a new metal-free organic dye (N, N'-PABA) based on N,N-dimethyl-4-vinyl aniline carrying 4-amino benzoic acid as acceptor, as sensitizers for sensitizing photoanode (TiO2). In the sensitizers, N,N-dimethylaniline ring acts as anelectron donorwhile para amino benzoic acid function as electron acceptor/anchoring units. It was synthesized via condensation reaction starting from simple 4-(N,N-dimethyl amino)benzaldehyde and their structures were confirmed using spectral techniques like FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, MS and elemental analysis. Further, it was subjected to electrochemical and optical characterization in order to evaluate their band gap and absorption/emission behavior. Further, DFT studies were performed using turbo mole V6.6 software package to evaluate their optimized geometry and FMO levels. Finally, DSSC devices were fabricated using this dye under simulated solar radiation AM1.5G and result revealed that it shows a conversion efficiency of 1%. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.Item Molecular Engineering of a New Organic Chromophore with D-Ï€-A Architecture for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells(Elsevier Ltd, 2018) Naik, P.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.Herein, we report design and synthesis of a new metal-free organic dye N1 derived from (Z)-3-(9-hexyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-2-(thiophen-2-yl) acrylonitrile scaffold. In this design, the electron rich carbazole unit is connected to rhodanine-3-acetic acid via cyano vinyl thiophene as Ï€-spacer. Its molecular structure was confirmed by FTIR, NMR, Mass spectral and elemental analyses. The dye was subjected to optical and electrochemical studies in order to investigate their absorption/emission behaviour as well as HOMO/LUMO energies. The DFT studies were performed using Turbomole 7.1V software and the results indicated the existence of proper charge separation between its HOMO and LUMO energy levels. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Item New carbazole based metal-free organic dyes with D-?-A-?-A architecture for DSSCs: Synthesis, theoretical and cell performance studies(Elsevier Ltd, 2017) Naik, P.; Elmorsy, M.R.; Su, R.; Babu, D.D.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.Herein we report the design, synthesis and photovoltaic performance studies of three new D-?-A-?-A architectured organic chromophores (N1-3) derived from (Z)-3-(9-hexyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-2-(thiophen-2-yl) acrylonitrile scaffold. In the new design, the electron rich carbazole unit is connected to three different electron withdrawing/anchoring species, viz. cyano acetic acid, rhodanine-3-acetic acid and barbituric acid via cyano vinyl thiophene as ?-spacer. Newly synthesized dyes were characterized by spectral, photophysical and electrochemical analyses. Their optical band-gap, GSOP and ESOP values, as calculated from the optical and CV studies were found to be in the range of 2.12–2.21, ?5.52 to ?5.43 and ?5.40 to ?3.25 eV respectively. The DFT and TD-DFT studies were performed using Turbomole 7.1V software and the results indicated the existence of proper charge separation between HOMO and LUMO levels of the dyes. Also, the results revealed good matching of theoretically generated optical spectral data with the experimental values. Finally, DSSC devices were fabricated using these three dyes and the dye N1 containing cyanoacetic acid as an acceptor unit showed better photo conversion efficiency (?) of 3.55% than the other two dyes. It's JSC, VOC, and IPCE parameters were shown to be 9.06 mA cm?2, 0.577 V and 48%, respectively. The obtained EIS data and electron lifetimes of N1–3 sensitized devices are well in accordance with experimental photovoltaic parameters. © 2017 Elsevier LtdItem Molecular design and theoretical investigation of new metal-free heteroaromatic dyes with D-?-A architecture as photosensitizers for DSSC application(Elsevier B.V., 2017) Naik, P.; Su, R.; Elmorsy, M.R.; Babu, D.D.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.Herein, we report design, synthesis and photovoltaic performance of four new metal-free heteroaromatic dyes (P1-4) with D-?-A architecture carrying electron donating carbazole core connected to four different electron withdrawing/anchoring groups, viz. cyanoacetic acid, rhodanine-3-acetic acid, barbituric acid and thiobarbituric acid and phenylene ring as a ?-spacer. The newly designed P1-4 were synthesized from carbazole derivative using Suzuki cross coupling approach followed by Knoevenagel condensation reaction. Their structures were confirmed by FTIR, NMR, Mass spectral and elemental analyses. The dyes were subjected to optical and electrochemical studies in order to investigate their absorption/emission behavior as well as HOMO/LUMO energies. The UV–vis spectral studies reveal that the P1-4 showed ?max at 412, 439, 458 and 489 nm, respectively. Their optical band-gap is in the range of 2.17 to 2.61 eV and fluorescence quantum yield is in the order of 44–70%. From energy level diagram, it is clear that all the dyes possess good thermodynamic feasibility for electron injection into CB edge of TiO2 as well as their regeneration from electrolyte system. The photovoltaic performance studies indicate that among the tested dyes, P1 anchored with cyanoacetic acid displayed the highest IPCE (32%), resulting in improved PCE (1.94%), JSC (4.68 mA cm?2), VOC (0.588 V) and FF (70.3%) values, when compared to other dyes. Finally, DFT studies were performed using Turbomole 7.1 V software to investigate their electron cloud delocalization in HOMO/LUMO levels and theoretical absorption spectral data. The results reveal that the dye P1 showed effective charge separation in its FMO levels, which has reflected in its ICT behavior and hence P1 displayed the improved photovoltaic performance. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.Item Structurally simple D–A-type organic sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells: effect of anchoring moieties on the cell performance(Springer Verlag service@springer.de, 2017) Naik, P.; Su, R.; Babu, D.D.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.Abstract: In this work, we report synthesis and device fabrication studies of four metal-free D–A-type dyes (A1–A4) based on structurally simple N,N-dimethyl-4-vinyl aniline carrying four different acceptor/anchoring groups, as sensitizers for sensitizing photoanode (TiO2). In the sensitizers, N,N-dimethylaniline ring acts as an electron donor, while barbituric acid, N,N-dimethyl barbituric acid, thiobarbituric acid and N,N-diethyl thiobarbituric acid function as electron acceptor/anchoring units. They were synthesized in good yield via Knoevenagel protocol in neutral condition without any catalyst. Further, they were subjected to structural, electrochemical and optical characterization in order to evaluate their structure, band gap and absorption/emission behavior. The studies reveal that all the four dyes have thermodynamic feasibility of electron injection as well as electron recombination; their optical band gaps were found to be in the range of 2.35–2.56 eV. High-quality crystals of A2 and A4 were grown by slow evaporation technique using its solution with 1:1 pet ether (60–80 °C)/ethyl acetate solvent mixture at room temperature. Their SC-XRD studies disclose that the crystals are in the triclinic system with space group P-1. Further, DFT studies were performed using Turbomole V7.1 software package to evaluate their optimized geometry and HOMO and LUMO levels. Finally, DSSC device fabricated with the dye A1 showed relatively good efficiency when compared to other dyes mainly due to the effective binding of barbituric acid on the surface of TiO2 through NH or OH functional group. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2017, Iranian Chemical Society.Item Improved photovoltaic performances of Ru (II) complex sensitized DSSCs by co-sensitization of carbazole based chromophores(Elsevier B.V., 2017) Naik, P.; Su, R.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.Herein, we report photovoltaic performance studies of three carbazole based dyes (N1–3) derived from (Z)-3-(9-hexyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-2-(thiophen-2-yl)acrylonitrile scaffold as effective co-sensitizers in Ru (II) complex, i.e. NCSU-10 sensitized DSSCs. From the results it is evident that, the device fabricated using co-sensitizer N3 with 0.2 mM of NCSU-10 exhibited improved photon conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.73% with JSC of 19.87 mA·cm? 2, VOC of 0.655 V and FF of 67.0%, while N1 displayed PCE of 8.29% with JSC of 19.75 mA·cm? 2, VOC of 0.671 V and FF of 62.6%, whereas NCSU-10 (0.2 mM) alone displayed PCE of 8.25% with JSC of 20.41 mA·cm? 2, VOC of 0.667 V and FF of 60.6%. However, their EIS studies confirm that, N1, showing higher VOC is efficient in suppressing the undesired charge recombination in DSSCs through enhanced surface coverage on TiO2 and thereby resulting in longer electron lifetime than that of NCSU-10 dye alone. Here, the higher PCE of N3 can be attributed to its improved light harvesting efficiency, which is due to the presence of highly electron withdrawing barbituric acid in its structure. Conclusively, the results showcase the potential of simple carbazole based dyes as co-sensitizers in improving efficiency of DSSCs. © 2017Item Investigation of new carbazole based metal-free dyes as active photo-sensitizers/co-sensitizers for DSSCs(Elsevier Ltd, 2018) Naik, P.; Su, R.; Elmorsy, M.R.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.Herein, we report the molecular design, synthesis and characterization of three new D-D-?-A configured metal-free chromophores D1-3 for their application in DSSCs as sensitizers as well as co-sensitizers. The new entities comprise carbazole as donor scaffold, 4-methoxyphenyl group as auxiliary donor and three different units, viz. cyanoacetic acid, 2, 4-thiazolidinedione and barbituric acid as acceptor/anchoring groups. Their photochemical, electrochemical and theoretical studies were carried out in order to assess their feasibility as active sensitizers. Further, D1-3 were exploited as co-sensitizers along with NCSU-10 dye. Their photoelectrochemical performances and charge transport properties in fabricated DSSCs were studied. The results revealed that D1 sensitizer displayed the highest PCE of 2.20% among the three dyes. D3 when co-sensitized with NCSU-10 displayed an improved PCE of 8.32% (JSC = 19.25 mA.cm?2, VOC = 0.680 V, FF = 63.7%) while NCSU-10 alone exhibited PCE of 8.25% (JSC = 20.41 mA.cm?2, VOC = 0.667 V, FF = 60.6%). © 2017 Elsevier LtdItem New carbazole based dyes as effective co-sensitizers for DSSCs sensitized with ruthenium (II) complex (NCSU-10)(Elsevier B.V., 2018) Naik, P.; Su, R.; Elmorsy, M.R.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.Herein, we report the design and synthesis of three new D–A type metal-free carbazole based dyes (S1–3) as effective co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) sensitized with Ru(II) complex (NCSU-10). In this new design, the electron rich carbazole unit was attached to three different electron withdrawing/anchoring species, viz. 4-amino benzoic acid, sulfanilic acid and barbituric acid. The dyes were characterized by spectral, photophysical and electrochemical analysis. Their optical and electrochemical parameters along with molecular geometries, optimized from DFT have been employed to apprehend the effect of the structures of these co-sensitizers on the photovoltaic performances. Further, S1–3 dyes were co-sensitized along with a well-known NCSU-10 dye in order to broaden the spectral response of the co-sensitized devices and hence improve the efficiency. The photovoltaic performance studies indicated that, the device fabricated using S1 dye as co-sensitizer with 0.2 mM of NCSU-10 exhibited improved PCE of 9.55% with JSC of 22.85 mA cm?2, VOC of 0.672 V and FF of 62.2%, whereas the DSSC fabricated with dye NCSU-10 (0.2 mM) alone displayed PCE of 8.25% with JSC of 20.41 mA cm?2, VOC of 0.667 V and FF of 60.6%. Furthermore, electronic excitations simulated using time-dependent DFT, were in good agreement with the experimentally obtained results of the co-sensitizers, indicating that the exchange-correlation function and basis set utilized for predicting the spectra of the co-sensitizers are quite appropriate for the calculations. In conclusion, the results showed the potential of simple organic co-sensitizers in the development of efficient DSSCs. © 2017 Science PressItem Simple thiophene based organic dyes as active photosensitizers for dssc application: From molecular design to structure property relationship(Sumy State University larysa.odnodvorets@gmail.com, 2020) Keremane, K.S.; Naik, P.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.The main objective of our present investigation includes the design synthesis and characterization of two novel D--A configured thiophene based dyes C1-2, carrying two different anchors and the same donor system. In the new design, a simple O-alkylated phenyl group as a donor scaffold, cyanovinylene and thiophene group serve as a-spacer, while cyanoacetic acid, barbituric acid units function as electron acceptor/ anchoring units. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopic techniques including the elemental analysis. Further, their optical properties were investigated by using UV-visible, fluorescence spectrophotometer. In addition, the Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to get their electron distribution in FMO levels. In order to investigate their photovoltaic characteristics, the synthesized dyes were employed as sensitizers towards the fabrication of DSSC's. The device fabricated with dye C1 displayed better PCE of 1.2 % with JSC of 3.64 mA·cm-2, VOC of 0.50 V and FF of 65 % than other dye C2. These experimental results provide a better understanding and deeper insight into the intricacies involved in the design of superior sensitizers to further improve the performance of DSSCs. © 2020 Sumy State University.Item Carbazole based organic dyes as effective photosensitizers: A comprehensive analysis of their structure-property relationships(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2022) Naik, P.; Keremane, K.S.; Elmorsy, M.R.; El-Shafei, A.; Vasudeva Adhikari, A.V.The present work describes the effect of structural modification of carbazole-based photosensitizers carrying carboxylic acid as a common anchoring functionality, on the photovoltaic parameters of newly fabricated DSSCs. In this study, we have selected our previously reported three carbazole-based derivatives, viz. S1-3 having different structural designs, that is, D-π-A (S1), D-D-π-A (S2), and A-π-D-π-A (S3) with different donor units and π-spacers, but an identical cyanoacetic acid anchoring unit. We have evaluated their optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic behaviors in order to explore their structure-property relationships. Also, the theoretical investigations were performed to obtain a deeper understanding of their HOMO-LUMO levels, charge distribution in FMOs, directional flow of electrons within the push-pull type sensitizers, and optical behavior. Finally, the DSSCs were constructed by employing these dyes as sensitizers without any co-absorbents and the performance of the devices was evaluated by using illuminated current-voltage characteristics. Among the tested dyes, di-anchoring S3 exhibited improved PCE of 3.77 % due to its strong adsorption on the TiO2 surface that resulted in superior VOC of the cell. While the S2 containing electron-releasing anisole as an auxiliary donor exhibited better JSC value leading to the optimum PCE of 3.73 % which is comparable to that of S3. Obviously, these results validate the role of the π-spacer and additional donor of the sensitizers on the overall performance of the DSSCs. © 2021 The Authors. Electrochemical Science Advances published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.