High Open-Circuit Voltages: Evidence for a Sensitizer-Induced TiO2 Conduction Band Shift in Ru(II)-Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) represent a valuable, efficient, and low-cost alternative to conventional semiconductor photovoltaic devices. A deeper understanding of the interactions at the dye/semiconductor heterointerface is fundamental for future progress in DSC technology. Here we present an interesting heteroleptic ruthenium(II) sensitizer that shifts the conduction band of TiO 2 by 80 mV resulting in high open circuit potential for improved device efficiency.