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The increasing global demand for energy and growing environmental concerns emphasize the crucial role of solar energy as a sustainable and nondepletable resource. Solar cells, particularly dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), have gained prominence due to their efficient conversion of solar power, ecofriendly manufacturing processes, and noteworthy stability. Current research in sustainable energy focuses on transitioning from metal‐based to metal‐free organic materials. Tandem solar cells, combining n‐type and p‐type semiconductors sensitized with diverse photoactive dyes, show potential to surpass thermodynamic limits in photon conversion efficiency. Notably, the exploration of n‐type DSSCs as photoanodes in tandem architectures is promising. However, the absence of efficient p‐type photoactive cathodes remains a significant obstacle. Global research efforts are dedicated to addressing charge recombination issues in NiO‐based devices to enhance the efficiency of p‐type DSSCs. The success of any DSSC hinges on the selection of dyes/sensitizers with suitable anchoring groups, wide absorption in the visible–NIR region, and a high extinction coefficient. This article comprehensively reviews advancements in developing highly efficient p‐type sensitizers, emphasizing their pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of tandem solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of new, cost effective, stable heterogeneous catalyst for the organic transformations is an important thematic area of research. Present work describes the development of new Pd@rGO−CuFe2O4 catalyst and demonstrates its effectiveness for Suzuki‐Miyaura type coupling reactions. The additional advantage of this reaction is its feasibility using biomass‐derived solvent like γ‐Valerolactone (GVL) in aqueous media. The catalyst is prepared hydrothermally and characterized using XRD, FESEM, EDX, and XPS analysis. The catalyst exhibits excellent activity and recyclability (up to six times) in the C−C coupling reaction to deliver the corresponding biaryl molecules in yields up to 90 %. High efficiency for the conversion of nitriles to amides is also revealed by the prepared catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work describes the effect of structural modification of carbazole‐based photosensitizers carrying carboxylic acid as a common anchoring functionality, on the photovoltaic parameters of newly fabricated DSSCs. In this study, we have selected our previously reported three carbazole‐based derivatives, viz. S1‐3 having different structural designs, that is, D‐π‐A (S1), D‐D‐π‐A (S2), and A‐π‐D‐π‐A (S3) with different donor units and π‐spacers, but an identical cyanoacetic acid anchoring unit. We have evaluated their optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic behaviors in order to explore their structure‐property relationships. Also, the theoretical investigations were performed to obtain a deeper understanding of their HOMO‐LUMO levels, charge distribution in FMOs, directional flow of electrons within the push‐pull type sensitizers, and optical behavior. Finally, the DSSCs were constructed by employing these dyes as sensitizers without any co‐absorbents and the performance of the devices was evaluated by using illuminated current‐voltage characteristics. Among the tested dyes, di‐anchoring S3 exhibited improved PCE of 3.77 % due to its strong adsorption on the TiO2 surface that resulted in superior VOC of the cell. While the S2 containing electron‐releasing anisole as an auxiliary donor exhibited better JSC value leading to the optimum PCE of 3.73 % which is comparable to that of S3. Obviously, these results validate the role of the π‐spacer and additional donor of the sensitizers on the overall performance of the DSSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing effective and low‐cost organic hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) is crucial for the construction of high‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and to promote their production in commercial ventures. In this context, we herein report the molecular design, synthesis and characterization of two novel D‐A‐D‐A‐D architectured 9‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐9H‐carbazoles, connecting the mono/dimethoxyphenyl substituted cyanovinylene sidearms symmetrically at 3rd and 6th positions of the carbazole heterocycle (CZ1‐2), as potential hole‐transporting materials (HTMs). The current work highlights their structural, photophysical, thermal, electrochemical and theoretical investigations, including their structure‐property correlation studies. Evidently, the optical studies showcased their excellent fluorescence ability due to their push–pull natured structure with extended π‐conjugation. Further, in‐depth solvatochromic studies demonstrated their intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT)‐dominated optoelectronic behavior, supported by various correlation studies. Also, the optical results revealed that CZ1 and CZ2 display λabs and λemi in the order of 410–430 nm and 530–560 nm, respectively, with a bandgap in the range of 2.5–2.6 eV. Finally, their quantum chemical simulations have provided an insight into the predictions of their structural, molecular, electronic and optical parameters. Conclusively, the study furnishes a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in the structural modification of carbazole‐based HTMs for achieving better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of our present investigation includes the design synthesis and characterization of two novel D-π-A configured carbazole based dyes C1-2, carrying two different anchors and the same donor system. In the new design, a simple O-alkylated phenyl group as a donor scaffold, cyanovinylene and thiophene group serve as a π-spacer, while cyanoacetic acid, barbituric acid units function as electron acceptor/ anchoring units. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopic techniques including the elemental analysis. Further, their optical properties were investigated by using UV-visible, fluorescence spectrophotometer. In addition, the Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to get their electron distribution in FMO levels. In order to investigate their photovoltaic characteristics, the synthesized dyes were employed as sensitizers towards the fabrication of DSSC's. The device fabricated with dye C1 displayed better PCE of 1.2 % with JSC of 3.64 mA·cm-2, VOC of 0.50 V and FF of 65 % than other dye C2. These experimental results provide a better understanding and deeper insight into the intricacies involved in the design of superior sensitizers to further improve the performance of DSSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distinct roles of different chemical species are essential for the discovery of novel chemical transformations in organic synthesis. Here, we have designed a potential strategy for the synthesis of triarylmethanes (TRAMs) using the dual C(aryl)-alkylation process. This protocol was influenced by 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro isopropanol (HFIP) as a pivotal reagent and proceeds through the selective para C-H functionalization method. The described approach has been proven to be highly efficient in terms of substrate scope with excellent functional group tolerance and gram scale synthesis of the desired product with 90% yield. The recyclability and reusability of HFIP has enhanced the feasibility of this protocol towards the sustainable synthesis of TRAMs., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)