Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Chemistry
First Advisor
Theresa McCormick
Term of Graduation
Winter 2025
Date of Publication
2-10-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemistry
Department
Chemistry
Language
English
Subjects
electrochemistry, photocathodes, tellurorhodamines
Physical Description
1 online resource (vii, 33 pages)
Abstract
Growing environmental concerns have facilitated an increased need for renewable energy. Solar energy is an excellent source of renewable energy, however current dye-sensitized solar cells are not efficient enough for commercial use. This thesis attempts to create a novel dye-sensitized cathode to increase the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.
Dye-sensitized cathodes could lower the energy level on the cathode and thereby increase the overall efficiency of the solar cell, however until now it has not been attempted. A tellurorhodamine dye with a mesityl ring was chosen as the dye for its ability to aerobically oxidize in the presence of light. The ability of the dye to undergo photo-oxidation and how its absorbance was affected were analyzed to measure the tellurorhodamine dye's ability to absorb solar light. The electrochemical properties of the dye were then analyzed to quantify how the dye underwent reduction via a current. Finally, the tellurorhodamine's photo-electrochemical properties were analyzed by measuring the voltage response under varying light and dark conditions.
The dye was found to experience red-shifted absorption after aerobic oxidation. The electrochemical response of the dye to light was to produce increasing voltage, consistent with the oxidized concentration of the dye increasing. Increasing the available light caused a greater increase in the voltage response while illuminated. The tellurorhodamine dye required a current to be reduced, and a steady applied current caused a consistent decrease in voltage under dark conditions. Taken together these results show a complete redox cycle of the chosen tellurorhodamine dye and offer potential for a self-sensitizing cathode.
Rights
© 2024 Amelia Jellison
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43273
Recommended Citation
Jellison, Amelia, "Photocathodes from Aerobic Oxidation of Tellurorhodamines" (2025). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6807.
