Application of π‐Extended Ferrocene with Varied Anchoring Groups as Photosensitizers in TiO2‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Abstract Two new compounds, FcCHNC 6 H 4 COOH ( 1 ) and FcCHNCH 2 CH 2 OH ( 2 ) (Fc=C 5 H 4 FeC 5 H 5 ), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and ESI‐MS. Attempt has been made to explain their quasi‐reversible redox behavior evidenced by cyclic voltammetry using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Light‐harvesting properties of both the compounds and also the starting material, FcCHO ( 3 ), have been studied using these compounds as photosensitizers in TiO 2 ‐based dye‐sensitized solar cells having either a propylene carbonate‐based electrolyte or ionic liquid electrolyte, namely, 1‐propyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium iodide (PMII). Long‐term stability of the photocurrent output of the cell using compound 1 as photosensitizer has been monitored periodically over 1400 h.