Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are recognized as a promising, eco-friendly alternative to traditional photovoltaics, characterized by their unique light-harvesting capabilities and potential for enhanced efficiency and stability in renewable energy applications. In this study, the focus is on the development of copper redox complexes, which exhibit varying responses to ligand exchange upon the introduction of 4-tertbutylpyridine (TBP), a critical factor influencing electron transfer processes and the overall performance of DSSCs. Three copper complexes, copper(II/I) N,N′-Dibenzyl-N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine triflate, [Cu(dbmed)]OTf1/2, copper(II/I) 2,6-bis[1,1-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyl]pyridine triflate, [Cu(PY5)]OTf1/2 and copper(II/I) 6,6′-bis(1,1-di(pyridine-2-yl)ethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine Bistriflimide, [Cu(bpyPY4)]TFSI1/2 were investigated, with synthetic and electrochemical methodologies, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, NMR, and cyclic voltammetry, being utilized to examine the redox behavior and ligand exchange phenomena. The performance of DSSC devices with each redox mediator was measured to be 4.32%, 2.01%, and 1.23% respectively. Methodology developed in this study, which involves using redox potential as an indicator to predict ligand exchange events, represents an expansion and refinement of existing concepts found in the literature. By building on prior research, this approach not only deepens the understanding of copper complex behaviors in DSSCs but also offers a more nuanced perspective for enhancing the design and efficiency of these innovative solar cells.
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