A study of novel macrocyclic copper complex/graphene‐based composite materials for counter electrodes of dye‐sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In this study, a newly synthesized macrocyclic copper complex, [Cu(C10H20N8)(C4H8N4)](BF4)2, was used for a reaction with graphene oxide. Macrocyclic copper complex/graphene‐based composite materials were prepared and applied to the counter electrodes (CEs) of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As the level of the macrocyclic copper complex increased, the catalytic sites on the surface of the CE increased. The results showed that the device efficiency of the composite GO/Cu (1:10) CE was 7.61%, which was better than that of the Platinum (Pt) CE (7.04%). The device efficiency of the DSSC was enhanced effectively because the electrocatalytic activity of the CE was enhanced, and the interface impedance of the device was reduced. Therefore, the macrocyclic copper complex/graphene‐based composite materials may have the potential to replace traditional Pt to increase efficiency and reduce the fabrication cost of DSSCs.

Metal Complex/ZnS-Modified Ni Foam as Magnetically Stirrable Photocatalysts: Roles of Redox Mediators and Carrier Dynamics Monitored by Operando Synchrotron X-ray Spectroscopy

“…Figure d illustrates the transformation of the octaaza-bis-α-diimine macrocyclic Cu complex to a fully conjugated system under a high alkali condition (sacrificial agent solution). In the octaaza-bis-α-diimine macrocyclic structure, the secondary amine could be deprotonated under basic conditions and possibly underwent oxidative dehydrogenation to form a conjugated system . The axial ligand containing the amino group might improve the ability to immobilize the Cu complex onto the surface of the photocatalyst.…”

“…The octaaza-bis-α-diimine macrocyclic Cu and Ni complexes were synthesized through a template condensation method. − The details are shown in the Supporting Information. 1 H NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) results of the Ni complex ([Ni­(C 10 H 20 N 8 )]­(BF 4 ) 2 ) are shown in Figures S1–S3, respectively.…”

“…In the octaaza-bis-α-diimine macrocyclic structure, the secondary amine could be deprotonated under basic conditions and possibly underwent oxidative dehydrogenation to form a conjugated system. 22 The axial ligand containing the amino group might improve the ability to immobilize the Cu complex onto the surface of the photocatalyst. Furthermore, the conjugated macrocyclic Cu system might have a better dπ−pπ bonding between the d orbitals of Cu 2+ and the p orbitals of the conjugated ligand.…”