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Photosensitization of nanocrystalline ZnO films by bis(2,2`-bipyridine) (2,2`-bipyridine-4,4`-dicarboxylic acid)ruthenium(II)

Journal Article · · Langmuir
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/la9620115· OSTI ID:535467
;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Universite de Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (Canada)
  2. Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States)

Spectral sensitization on nanocrystalline ZnO films has been carried out with ruthenium complex, bis(2,2`-bipyridine)(2,2`-bipyridine-4, 4`-dicarboxylic acid)ruthenium(II) or (Ru(II)). An incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 14% has been obtained for unbiased ZnO/Ru(II) photoelectrochemical cells. This low IPCE has been attributed to the poor light harvesting efficiency (LHE) and charge collection collection ({eta}{sub c}) efficiency. The week interaction between Ru(II) and ZnO surface which results in poor uptake of Ru(II) on ZnO is responsible for a lower LHF while various charge recombination processes are the cause of poor {eta}{sub c}. To better understand the process of photosensitization of ZnO by Ru(II), the dependence of IPCE and fluorescence on applied bias, and other photoelectrochemical measurements have also been carried out. 56 refs., 8 figs.

OSTI ID:
535467
Journal Information:
Langmuir, Journal Name: Langmuir Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 13; ISSN 0743-7463; ISSN LANGD5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English