Inorganic Electrochemistry |
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Lucy Moorcraft
Synthesis and electronic characterisiation of Pt(II) complexes of 2,2´-bipyridine as dyes for Gretzel Solar cells.
My Project
I did my PhD working on Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSCs) with Lesley Yellowlees and Neil Robertson. DSSCs were first described by Michael Graetzel in 1991. A transition metal complex (or dye) bound to a semiconductor surface (TiO2) acts as a sensitizer to absorb sunlight and create a cell potential and external circuit (Fig.1). The cells are different from the silicon cells more commonly known because they separate the light absorption and electron transfer steps, and in doing so more closely resemble photosynthesis. DSSCs are an important area of research worldwide as they are cheaper to make than current cells and could help to combat the looming energy crisis.
Fig. 1 - Mechanism of a Graetzel Solar Cell
My PhD project was centred on synthesising an characterising platinum and ruthenium dyes that can be incorporated into the cell. Some of the best dyes (D) synthesised so far are ruthenium polypyridyl complexes like [Ru{4,4´-(CO2H)2-bpy}2(NCS)2] (Fig 2.). These sensitizers have shown efficiencies of up to 11% when tested in a Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell. More specifically, I investigated whether the bipyridine ligands often used in successful dyes could be replaced with substituted pyridine ligands and improve performance. Previous work at the University of Edinburgh on Platinum bipyridine complexes suggested that a less planar bipyridine ligand on the dye helps to reduce unwanted back reactions within the system. This led us to the substituted pyridine line of study.
![Fig. 2 - [Ru{4,4´-(CO2H)2-bpy}2(NCS)2]](./../people/images/lucy2.gif "Fig. 2 - [Ru{4,4´-(CO2H)2-bpy}2(NCS)2]")
Fig. 2 - [Ru{4,4´-(CO2H)2-bpy}2(NCS)2]
Once I have made the dyes, I characterised them using electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques: cyclic voltammetry, in situ EPR and in situ UV/Vis (OTTLE) studies which are described in more detail elsewhere on this website. I then took my dyes down and tested them in actual cells with Laurie Peter´s group at the University of Bath.
My project was part of the Supergen Excitonic Solar Cell Consortium funded by EPSRC.
About Me
Born and raised in High Wycombe, Bucks, I then went to study Chemistry with Industrial Experience at the University of Bristol. I spent my year in industry working for Johnson Matthey in Sonning Common in the Fuel Cell Research Department. After graduating in 2003, I took a gap year - travelling round Australia, New Zealand and South America - before moving to Edinburgh. Outside of the lab I spent my time playing percussion with Edinburgh University Wind and Brass Bands, playing bridge and swing dancing. During my time in Scotland I also gained lots of enjoyable Science Communication experience in schools, science festivals and with Chemical Connection... hopefully encouraging kids to take up science. Scientists don´t have to be boys with crazy hair and wearing socks with sandals you know!
What I'm Doing Now
Now I've finally finished my PhD, I am now doing a PGCE on the INSPIRE project at Imperial College London, which combines teacher training with Science Communication. I am then planning to travel to South East Asia and Africa once I've finished.
Salma Al-Musharafy - Rakesh Barik - Sandy Delf - Calum Findlay - Lucy Moorcraft - Paul Murray - Lesley Yellowlees
School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building
King`s Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh, EH9 3JJ
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