Annie butler ricks

Our research group is interested in using first row transition metal-based chromophores in order to lower the cost and improve the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).  My research involves the synthesis of Cu(I) polypyridyl complexes that can then be used as sensitizers in DSSCs.  While the reasons for choosing copper are many, the abundancy of the metal plays a large role in the decision.  Copper is >10⁴ more abundant than ruthenium, which is the metal that is most commonly used in DSSCs today. 

I am synthesizing various Cu(I) polypyridyl complexes with the intent to carry out time-resolved spectroscopic studies of these systems in 1) solution, 2) on an inert substrate and 3) on TiO₂ under operational conditions.  These studies will allow me to determine the relative rates of the various processes underpinning the overall efficiencies, which will give insights into how to better design sensitizers for more efficient DSSCs.