New heteroleptic benzimidazole functionalized Ru-sensitizer showing the highest efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells.

We designed and synthesized a new ruthenium complex using terpyridine as an anchoring ligand and BOC ( tert -butyloxycarbonyl) protected bidentate benzimidazole derivative as an ancillary ligand, coded as GS7 . The complex was characterized using 1 H NMR, FTIR, elemental analysis, UV–vis spectrophotometer, and cyclic voltammetry. We also tested photovoltaic performance of this complex for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs). GS7 when used as a sensitizer for DSSCs with iodine triiodide electrolyte, showed a J sc of 15.25 mA cm − 2 , a V oc of 0.576 V, a FF of 0.691 and overall power conversion efficiency of (η) 6.07%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]