High Performance of Si–O–Ti Bonds for Anchoring Sensitizing Dyes on TiO2 Electrodes in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Evidenced by Using Alkoxysilylazobenzenes

Applicability of alkoxysilyl group was examined for the first time as the anchor moiety of sensitizing dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells by using alkoxysilylazobenzenes. Alkoxysilylazobenzenes adsorbed efficiently onto TiO2 electrodes by the formation of Si–O–Ti bonds, and the electrodes exhibited much higher durability to water and better photovoltaic performance than in the case of a conventional carboxy dye.