Optimisation of the synthesis of Ruthenium complexes used as photosensitisers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)

Abstract

This project aims to optimise and scale-up the synthesis of a ruthenium coordination complex (dye N-179) used as photosensitiser in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and assess its implementation at industrial scale. This type of cells offers an alternative to silicon-based solar cells and has received a lot of attention due to its low cost, easy manufacturing, and relatively high conversion efficiency from solar energy to electricity. Apart from synthesizing and characterizing the dye N 719, this project aims to evaluate the production costs for its eventual implementation at industrial level. The project starts with the synthesis of 2,2’-bipyridine-4,4’-dicarboxylic acid from 2-amino-4-methylpyridine as the organic ligand and subsequently, the optimisation of its complexation and the formation of the dye N 719. I synthesize and optimize all the steps, characterising the different product intermediates, obtaining the ruthenium complex N 719 in 1.55 g scale an overall yield of the reactions of 17 %. This TFG project has been carried out in the collaboration with HDOS Innova SL., a research company that focuses its studies on environmental management problems such as the industrial development of solar cells.