A simple copper(I) complex and its application in efficient dye sensitized solar cells

A novel copper(I) complex bearing two 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′- bipyridine-4,4′-dibenzoic acid ligands was prepared along with related deprotonated derivatives with Na+ or NBu4+ as counterion. Their performance as photosensitizer in dye sensitized solar cells was studied as a function of the anchoring group and the electrolyte composition, comparing it with that of the known copper(I) complex bearing two 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid ligands and the ruthenium benchmark N719. Interestingly, the novel protonated complex is characterized by the best overall power conversion efficiency (3.0%) reported up to now for a copper(I) complex.