Efficient Photosensitization of Nanocrystalline TiO2 Films by a New Class of Sensitizer: cis-Dithiocyanato bis(4,7-dicarboxy-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II)

A new class of ruthenium(II) complexes containing carboxylated 1,10-phenanthroline were synthesized. Photosensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode by bis(tetrabutylammonium)dihydronium cis-dithiocyanato bis(4,7-dicarboxy-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) showed a high incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE: 70% at 540 nm). The overall solar-to-electric power conversion efficincy of 6.1% was obtained at AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm2).