Anchoring Energy Acceptors to Nanostructured ZrO2 Enhances Photon Upconversion by Sensitized Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Under Simulated Solar Flux

• DOI: 10.1021/jp402477q
• Publication Date: 2013-07-03T13:10:06Z
• Authors: Jonas Sandby Lissau; Djawed Nauroozi; Marie-Pierre Santoni; Sascha Ott; James M. Gardner; Ana Morandeira
• Keywords: Photon Upconversion; Annihilation; Photon flux; Photon energy

Photon upconversion by sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation (UC-STTA) is a promising strategy for boosting the theoretical maximum efficiency of single threshold solar cells, in particular, dye-sensitized cells (DSSCs). Here, we report substantial increase UC-STTA on nanostructured surface, using noncoherent excitation light with intensities as low 0.5 mW cm–2, easily achieved under sun illumination. The studied surface was mesoporous ZrO2 film working proxy system study photophysics relevant to DSSCs. A well-known "emitter" dye, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA), chemically modified yield methyl 4-(10-p-tolylanthracen-9-yl)benzoate (MTAB), which chemisorbed onto ZrO2. "sensitizer" platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP), free butyronitrile (BuN) solution surrounding nanostructure. rigorous oxygen removal minimized photodegradation dyes and enhanced efficiency. already approaches so-called "strong limit" at below 8 cm–2. Highly efficient requisite use Time-resolved data show that limiting process mechanism present dynamic triplet energy transfer step from PtOEP MTAB This result can guide way toward better understanding further improvement nanocrystalline metal oxides.