A carbon doped anatase TiO2 as a promising semiconducting layer in Ru-dyes based dye-sensitized solar cells

The synthesis and characterization of two simple Ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [Ru(X<^>N)(2) (4,4'-dicarboxybipyridine)](+) (with X=C, X N=benzoquinolinate, 1; with X=N, X<^>N=2-pyridyl tetrazolate, 2) and the exploitation of a new carbon doped anatase TiO2 paste in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) photoanode are described. In particular, glucose (C6H12O6) is used as a new chemical eco-friendly C-dopant during the doping process of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles. The proper combination of Ru(II) sensitizers and C-doped titania can afford efficient DSSC photoanodes. All the relevant photovoltaic parameters have been determined.