Cette thèse est divisée en trois parties. La première traite la synthèse de la polyaniline (PANI), un polymère conducteur de trou, utilisé dans plusieurs applications. En variant les quantités du monomère et de l’oxydant tout en fixant leur rapport molaire à 1:1,25, et en ajoutant de l’oxyde de magnésium, des aiguilles et des nouvelles structures semblables aux échinides sont formées. Le mécanisme de formation des structures unidimensionnelles est expliqué à l’aide de la théorie des multicouches. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la fabrication des monocouches photovoltaïques à faible coût en se basant sur le principe de fonctionnement des cellules à pigment photosensible (en anglais DSSC, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell). En 1991, Grätzel a réintroduit l’effet photo-électrochimique en développant la première DSSC, une des cellules solaire troisième génération, formée d’un film de TiO2 (photo-anode) pigmenté à l’aide d’un colorant et d’un électrolyte qui sert à régénérer le pigment oxydé. Malgré leur faible coût, les DSSCs font face à de nombreux problèmes tels que le coût élevé du pigment, la fuite de l’électrolyte, la sublimation du couple I-/I3- à travers I2, etc. Afin de résoudre ces problèmes, des monocouches photovoltaïques ont été développées. Des composites formés de PANI et TiO2 sont la base de ces dispositifs nouvelle génération. La polymérisation in-situ de l’aniline en présence des nanoparticules de TiO2 conduit à une forte interaction entre la PANI et les particules de TiO2 où une structure « core (TiO2)/shell (PANI) » existe dans le composite. Dans le dispositif photovoltaïque basé sur le composite PANI-TiO2, PANI est considérée comme pigment à la photo-anode et comme poly-électrolyte plus profondément dans le composite. En plus, des textiles fabriqués utilisant ces composites photo-génèrent une tension de 0,6 V et un courant de 1 A/m2 lorsque l’éthanol est injecté dans le dispositif. Une nouvelle architecture a été développée qui sert à améliorer la performance de la cellule et en même temps stocker l’énergie pour des utilisations ultérieures. La dernière partie est consacrée à la fabrication des DSSCs basées sur les pigments naturels. L’anthocyane, un pigment naturel halochromique responsable de la couleur rouge dans les plantes, a été extrait du chou rouge et utilisé pour pigmenter les films de TiO2. Cette propriété se traduit par la fabrication des DSSCs de différentes couleurs et comportement photovoltaïque. Avec un pH égal à 0, une Vco et une Jcc de 520 mV et 185 μA/cm2 sont respectivement obtenues prouvant la possibilité d’utiliser le chou rouge comme source de pigment à très faible coût des DSSCs. / This thesis is divided in three parts. The first one deals with the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI), a hole conducting polymer, used in many applications. By varying the quantities of the monomer and the oxidant while fixing the molar ratio at 1:1.25, and by adding magnesium oxide, novel echinoid-like and PANI needles were formed. The formation mechanism of the 1D structures is explained using the multi-layer theory. The second section is devoted for the fabrication of low cost single-layered photovoltaic devices based on the working principle of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In 1991, Grätzel reintroduced the photo-electrochemical effect by developing the first DSSC, one of the third generation solar cells, formed of a TiO2 film (photoanode) sensitized using a dye and an electrolyte regenerating the excited dye. Despite their low cost, DSSCs face many problems such as the high cost of the dye, leaking of the electrolyte, sublimation of the I-/I3- through I2, etc. To solve these problems a single layer photovoltaic device has been developed. Composites formed of PANI, and TiO2 are the basis of the new generation photovoltaics. The in-situ polymerization of aniline inside a titania solution results in a strong interaction between PANI and TiO2 particles where a core (TiO2)/shell (PANI) structure exists inside the composite. In the single-layered photovoltaic device based on PANI-TiO2 composite, PANI is considered as sensitizer at the photoanode and as polyelectrolyte deeper inside the composite layer. In addition, textiles fabricated using such composites generated a voltage of 0.6 V and a current of 1 A/m2 when ethanol is injected in the solar cell. A new architecture has been developed to enhance the performance of the device and at the same time to store the converted energy for later use. The final part is devoted to the fabrication of DSSCs based on natural dyes. Anthocyanin; a halochromic natural dye responsible for the red color in plants, extracted from red cabbage was used to sensitize TiO2 films. This property results in the fabrication of DSSCs with different colors and photovoltaic behavior. At a pH equal to 0, a Voc and Jsc of 520 mV and 185 μA/cm2 were respectively recorded proving the possibility of using red cabbages as a very low cost dye source for DSSCs.

Nesta tese visamos o entendimento aprofundado dos processos e mecanismos que influenciam a performance de células solares sensibilizadas por corante (DSCs), particularmente a influência das interfaces TiO2/corante, TiO2/eletrólito e rutilo/anatase, assim contribuindo para obter dispositivos eficientes. Nesse sentido, foi investigada a influência das propriedades eletrônicas do novo corante [Ru(dcbpyH2)2(tmtH2)]Cl associadas às transições de transferência de carga MLCT e LMCT sobre a eficiência de fotoinjeção e fotoconversão de energia solar nas DSCs. Por meio da aplicação das espécies isoladas (Bu4N)3[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH2)], (Bu4N)4[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH)] e (Bu4N)5[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmt)] em DSCs, foram demonstradas as contribuições de duas bandas MLCTs e uma LMCT para a fotoconversão de energia, que foram reveladas por deconvolução dos espectros de fotoação. Além disso, aquelas espécies apresentaram valores de eficiência global corrigidos pela quantidade de corante adsorvido no TiO2 maiores do que o corante N719, indicando que os novos corantes de rutênio têm potencial de aplicação como fotossensibilizadores de células solares. Também foi investigado o mecanismo do efeito sinérgico observado em misturas de rutilo e de anatase por meio do estudo das contribuições dos processos de recombinação e de difusão de elétrons nos filmes mesoporosos mistos de TiO2 sobre a performance das DSCs, em função da distribuição daqueles nanocristais em diferentes proporções, confirmadas por microscopia Raman confocal. A impedância das interfaces/junções presentes nas DSCs foi caracterizada por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS) para determinação de parâmetros fundamentais como capacitância química, resistência de difusão, resistências de recombinação, coeficiente de difusão, tempo de vida e comprimento de difusão dos elétrons dos filmes mistos de TiO2. As características I x V das células solares, ou seja, os parâmetros de eficiência global (η), densidade de corrente de curto-circuito (Jsc), voltagem de circuito-aberto (Voc) e fator de preenchimento (FF) foram relacionados com os parâmetros de impedância e o grau de homogeneidade das misturas de nanopartículas de rutilo e de anatase. Em particular, foi demonstrado o papel fundamental das propriedades de difusão de elétrons nos filmes mistos de TiO2 para o aumento da performance das DSCs. Os estudos de simulação dos espectros de impedância de filmes mistos não homogêneos de TiO2 comercial Aldrich mostraram que o coeficiente de difusão de elétrons desses materiais apresenta um máximo na região de 15% de rutilo e 85% anatase, coincidindo com o máximo de eficiência das DSCs de mesma composição. De fato, diferenças sutis nas contribuições da capacitância química e resistência de difusão foram responsáveis pelo aumento do coeficiente de difusão das DSCs baseadas em filmes mistos não homogêneos de TiO2. Por outro lado, quando foi aumentada a área de contato entre as nanopartículas de anatase e de rutilo, foi observado um aumento da capacitância química e tempo de vida dos elétrons nos filmes mistos homogêneos de TiO2. Estes foram atribuídos ao aumento da eficiência de transferência de elétrons entre os nanocristais de rutilo e de anatase, que diminuiram a recombinação de elétrons e promoveram a estabilização de cargas na banda de condução do TiO2. / The understanding of the detailed mechanism and processes that influence the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), particularly the influence of TiO2/dye, TiO2/electrolyte and rutile/anatase interfaces, thus contributing to increase the efficiency of that devices, is the main goal of this thesis. Accordingly, we investigated the influence of the electronic properties of the new dye [Ru(dcbpyH2)2(tmtH2)]Cl associated the MLCT and LMCT charge transfer transitions on the efficiency of photoinjection and solar energy photoconversion in DSCs. The species (Bu4N)3[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH2)], (Bu4N)4[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH)] and (Bu4N)5[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmt)] were isolated and used in DSCs, revealing the contributions of two MLCTs and a LMCT band for energy conversion by deconvolution of the photoaction spectra. Interestingly, these new ruthenium dyes presented overall efficiency normalized by the amount of dye adsorbed on TiO2 larger than for the N719 dye, indicating a potential for application as photosensitizers. The mechanism of the synergistic effect observed in blends of rutile and anatase was investigated studying the contributions of the recombination and electron diffusion processes in mesoporous mixed TiO2 films on the performance of DSCs, as a function of the distribution of those nanocrystals in different proportions, as confirmed by Raman microscopy (Confocal). The impedance of interfaces/junctions present in the DSCs was carefully characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to determine key parameters such as chemical capacitance, diffusion resistance, recombination resistance, diffusion coefficient, lifetime and the electron diffusion length in mixed TiO2 films. The I x V characteristics, i.e. the overall efficiency parameter (η), density of short circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) of solar cells were correlated with the impedance parameters and the degree of homogeneity of mixtures of rutile and anatase nanoparticles. In fact, the essential role of electron diffusion properties in the mixed TiO2 films on the performance of DSCs was demonstrated. Impedance studies of low homogeneity mixed films prepared with commercial TiO2 (Aldrich) by fitting the experimental spectra with a suitable equivalent circuit revealed that the electron diffusion coefficient of these materials exhibits a maximum at 15% rutile and 85% anatase, as expected based on the synergic effect in DSCs. In fact, subtle differences in the contributions of chemical capacitance and diffusion resistance were responsible for the increase of the electron diffusion coefficient in low homogeneity mixed TiO2 films. On the other hand, an increase in the anatase and rutile nanoparticles contact area reflected positively in the chemical capacitance and electron lifetime, as expected for an enhanced electron transfer efficiency between the rutile and anatase nanocrystals, thus decreasing the electron recombination and increasing the stability of the photoinjected charge on the TiO2 conduction band.

Nesta tese visamos o entendimento aprofundado dos processos e mecanismos que influenciam a performance de células solares sensibilizadas por corante (DSCs), particularmente a influência das interfaces TiO2/corante, TiO2/eletrólito e rutilo/anatase, assim contribuindo para obter dispositivos eficientes. Nesse sentido, foi investigada a influência das propriedades eletrônicas do novo corante [Ru(dcbpyH2)2(tmtH2)]Cl associadas às transições de transferência de carga MLCT e LMCT sobre a eficiência de fotoinjeção e fotoconversão de energia solar nas DSCs. Por meio da aplicação das espécies isoladas (Bu4N)3[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH2)], (Bu4N)4[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH)] e (Bu4N)5[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmt)] em DSCs, foram demonstradas as contribuições de duas bandas MLCTs e uma LMCT para a fotoconversão de energia, que foram reveladas por deconvolução dos espectros de fotoação. Além disso, aquelas espécies apresentaram valores de eficiência global corrigidos pela quantidade de corante adsorvido no TiO2 maiores do que o corante N719, indicando que os novos corantes de rutênio têm potencial de aplicação como fotossensibilizadores de células solares. Também foi investigado o mecanismo do efeito sinérgico observado em misturas de rutilo e de anatase por meio do estudo das contribuições dos processos de recombinação e de difusão de elétrons nos filmes mesoporosos mistos de TiO2 sobre a performance das DSCs, em função da distribuição daqueles nanocristais em diferentes proporções, confirmadas por microscopia Raman confocal. A impedância das interfaces/junções presentes nas DSCs foi caracterizada por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS) para determinação de parâmetros fundamentais como capacitância química, resistência de difusão, resistências de recombinação, coeficiente de difusão, tempo de vida e comprimento de difusão dos elétrons dos filmes mistos de TiO2. As características I x V das células solares, ou seja, os parâmetros de eficiência global (η), densidade de corrente de curto-circuito (Jsc), voltagem de circuito-aberto (Voc) e fator de preenchimento (FF) foram relacionados com os parâmetros de impedância e o grau de homogeneidade das misturas de nanopartículas de rutilo e de anatase. Em particular, foi demonstrado o papel fundamental das propriedades de difusão de elétrons nos filmes mistos de TiO2 para o aumento da performance das DSCs. Os estudos de simulação dos espectros de impedância de filmes mistos não homogêneos de TiO2 comercial Aldrich mostraram que o coeficiente de difusão de elétrons desses materiais apresenta um máximo na região de 15% de rutilo e 85% anatase, coincidindo com o máximo de eficiência das DSCs de mesma composição. De fato, diferenças sutis nas contribuições da capacitância química e resistência de difusão foram responsáveis pelo aumento do coeficiente de difusão das DSCs baseadas em filmes mistos não homogêneos de TiO2. Por outro lado, quando foi aumentada a área de contato entre as nanopartículas de anatase e de rutilo, foi observado um aumento da capacitância química e tempo de vida dos elétrons nos filmes mistos homogêneos de TiO2. Estes foram atribuídos ao aumento da eficiência de transferência de elétrons entre os nanocristais de rutilo e de anatase, que diminuiram a recombinação de elétrons e promoveram a estabilização de cargas na banda de condução do TiO2. / The understanding of the detailed mechanism and processes that influence the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), particularly the influence of TiO2/dye, TiO2/electrolyte and rutile/anatase interfaces, thus contributing to increase the efficiency of that devices, is the main goal of this thesis. Accordingly, we investigated the influence of the electronic properties of the new dye [Ru(dcbpyH2)2(tmtH2)]Cl associated the MLCT and LMCT charge transfer transitions on the efficiency of photoinjection and solar energy photoconversion in DSCs. The species (Bu4N)3[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH2)], (Bu4N)4[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmtH)] and (Bu4N)5[Ru(dcbpy)2(tmt)] were isolated and used in DSCs, revealing the contributions of two MLCTs and a LMCT band for energy conversion by deconvolution of the photoaction spectra. Interestingly, these new ruthenium dyes presented overall efficiency normalized by the amount of dye adsorbed on TiO2 larger than for the N719 dye, indicating a potential for application as photosensitizers. The mechanism of the synergistic effect observed in blends of rutile and anatase was investigated studying the contributions of the recombination and electron diffusion processes in mesoporous mixed TiO2 films on the performance of DSCs, as a function of the distribution of those nanocrystals in different proportions, as confirmed by Raman microscopy (Confocal). The impedance of interfaces/junctions present in the DSCs was carefully characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to determine key parameters such as chemical capacitance, diffusion resistance, recombination resistance, diffusion coefficient, lifetime and the electron diffusion length in mixed TiO2 films. The I x V characteristics, i.e. the overall efficiency parameter (η), density of short circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) of solar cells were correlated with the impedance parameters and the degree of homogeneity of mixtures of rutile and anatase nanoparticles. In fact, the essential role of electron diffusion properties in the mixed TiO2 films on the performance of DSCs was demonstrated. Impedance studies of low homogeneity mixed films prepared with commercial TiO2 (Aldrich) by fitting the experimental spectra with a suitable equivalent circuit revealed that the electron diffusion coefficient of these materials exhibits a maximum at 15% rutile and 85% anatase, as expected based on the synergic effect in DSCs. In fact, subtle differences in the contributions of chemical capacitance and diffusion resistance were responsible for the increase of the electron diffusion coefficient in low homogeneity mixed TiO2 films. On the other hand, an increase in the anatase and rutile nanoparticles contact area reflected positively in the chemical capacitance and electron lifetime, as expected for an enhanced electron transfer efficiency between the rutile and anatase nanocrystals, thus decreasing the electron recombination and increasing the stability of the photoinjected charge on the TiO2 conduction band.

The curiosity of researchers to find novel characteristics and properties of matter constantly pushes for the development of instrumentation based on X-radiation. I present in this thesis techniques for electron spectroscopy based on developments of X-ray sources both in time structure and energy. One part describes a laser driven High-Harmonic Generation source and the application of an off-plane grating monochromator with additional beamlines and spectrometers. In initial experiments, the source is capable of producing harmonics between the 13th and 23rd of the fundamental laser 800 nm wavelength. The intensity in the 19th harmonic, after monochromatization, was measured to be above 1.2·1010 photons/second with a repetition rate of 5 kHz.  The development of a chopper system synchronized to the bunch clock of an electron storage ring is also presented. The system can be used to adjust the repetition rate of a synchrotron radiation beam to values between 10 and 120 kHz, or for the modulation of continuous sources. The application of the system to both time of flight spectroscopy and laser pump X-ray probe spectroscopy is shown. It was possible to measure triple ionization of Kr and in applied studies the valence band of a laser excited dye-sensitized solar cell interface. The combination of the latter technique with transient absorption measurements is proposed. The organic molecule maleic anhydride (MA) and its binding configuration to the three anatase TiO2 crystals (101), (100), (001) has been investigated by means of Xray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine structure Spectroscopy (NEXAFS). The results provide information on the binding configuration to the 101 crystal. High Kinetic Energy Photoelectron Spectroscopy was used to investigate multilayers of complexes of iron, ruthenium and osmium. The benefit of hard X-rays for ex-situ prepared samples is demonstrated together with the application of resonant valence band measurements to these molecules.

Photoinduced electron transfer is a fundamentally interesting process; it occurs everywhere in the natural world. Studies on electron transfer shed light on questions about the interaction between molecules and how the dynamics of these can be utilized to steer the electron transfer processes to achieve a desired goal. The goal may be to get electrons to the electrode of a solar cell, or to make the electrons form an energy rich fuel such as hydrogen, and it may also be an input or output for molecular switches. The importance of electron transfer reactions will be highlighted in this thesis, however, the main motivation is to gain a better understanding of the fundamental processes that affect the rate and direction of the electron transfer. A study of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) in a series of metallophorphyrin/bipyridinium complexes in aqueous solution provided fresh insight concerning the intimate relationship between vibrational relaxation and electron transfer. The forward electron transfer from porphyrin to bipyridinium as well as the following back electron transfer to the ground state could be observed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Both the reactant and the product states of the ET processes were vibrationally unrelaxed, in contrary to what is assumed for most expressions of the ET rates. This could be understood from the observation of unrelaxed ground states. The excess energy given by the initial excitation of the porphyrin does not relax completely during the two steps of electron transfer. This is an unusual observation, not reported in the literature prior the studies presented in this thesis. This study also gave the first clear evidence of electronically excited radical pairs formed as products of intramolecular electron transfer. Signs of electronically excited radical pairs were seen in transient spectra, and were further verified by the observation that the rates followed a Marcus normal region behavior for all excitation wavelengths, despite the relatively large excess energy of the second excited state. This thesis also concerns electron transfer in solar cell dyes and mixed valence complexes. In the ruthenium polypyridyl complex Ru(dcb)2(NCS)2, where dcb = 4,4’-dicarboxy-2,2’-bipyridine, inter-ligand electron transfer (ILET) in the 3MLCT state was followed by means of femtosecond transient absorption anisotropy that was probed in the mid-IR region. Unexpectedly, ILET was not observed because electron density was localized on the same bpy during the time-window allowed by the rotational lifetime.

Les nanostructures d'oxydes métalliques jouent un rôle essentiel dans les cellules photovoltaïques à colorants, puisque ces matériaux permettent la réalisation du contact électrique transparent en face avant et de la photoanode. L'oxyde stannique (SnO2) et l'oxyde de zinc (ZnO) ont été employés respectivement, car leurs propriétés optiques, électroniques et structurales sont particulièrement bien adaptées aux cellules solaires à colorant. Le contact électrique transparent, obtenu par pyrolyse d'aérosol, se présente sous forme d'une couche mince de SnO2 dopé par du fluor composée de grains nanométriques. Les propriétés électriques et optiques de ce composant ont été optimisées en vue de son intégration dans des cellules à colorants. Une étude approfondie du transport électronique au sein de la couche a permis de quantifier l'influence des différents mécanismes de diffusion suivant les cas considérés. La photoanode a été réalisée, directement à la surface de la couche mince de SnO2, par dépôt chimique de nanofils de ZnO à partir de précurseurs en phase vapeur. Le diamètre et la densité surfacique des nanofils sont contrôlés respectivement par les conditions de croissance et le degré d'oxydation du substrat. Les photoanodes à base de nanofils ont été intégrées dans des cellules à colorant. La limitation des performances de ces cellules est due à la faible surface développée par le ZnO qui conduit à la fixation d'une trop faible quantité de colorant à la surface de ce dernier. Afin de remédier à ce problème, des nanoparticules de ZnO ont été élaborées par bain chimique à la surface des nanofils. Les cellules solaires à base de structures composites présentent des performances supérieures à celles réalisées à partir de nanofils ou de nanoparticules. Les photoanodes composites permettent d'obtenir à la fois un transport efficace des électrons et de développer une surface importante et de ce fait, elles présentent des performances prometteuses. / Metallic oxide nanostructures play a critical role in dye-sensitized solar cells as front transparent electrodes and photoanodes. The use of stannic oxide (SnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) have been motivated by their particularly suitable structural, electrical and optical properties for dye-sensitized solar cells. Fluorine doped-SnO2 transparent electrodes have been deposited by spray pyrolysis in the form of thin films and consist of nanoscale grains. Their optical and electrical properties have been optimized in order to integrate them into dye-sensitized solar cells. The electron transport has been investigated in details and the influence of each scattering mechanism has quantitatively been assessed. ZnO photoanodes have directly been grown on the SnO2 surface by chemical vapor deposition in the form of nanowires. The nanowire diameter and surface density have been controlled by the growth conditions and the substrate surface oxidation, respectively. The nanowire-based photoanodes have subsequently been integrated into dye-sensitized solar cells. The relatively low efficiency of these cells has been found to be due to the small ZnO surface area, which limits the amount of dye anchored to its surface. In order to circumvent this limitation, ZnO nanoparticles have been deposited on the nanowire surface by chemical bath deposition. The nanocomposite photoanodes lead to the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells with promising efficiency by combining both efficient electron transport and high developed surface area.

Au cours de ces travaux de thèse, deux axes d’études ont été développés. Ils consistent d’une part à la synthèse et la caractérisation de nouveaux complexes de bore, visant à être utilisés dans des cellules solaires organiques, ainsi qu’au développement de plateformes d’empilement π, permettant la modulation des propriétés structurales de semi-conducteurs organiques. Ainsi, le rendement de conversion énergétique de cellules solaires utilisant un BODIPY a été amélioré par l’addition de triazatruxènes sur ses positions β-pyrroliques. Le motif BOPHY, complexe di-nucléaire de bore, a été fonctionnalisé puis étudié optoélectroniquement. Le premier exemple d’utilisation d’un BOPHY dans une cellule solaire organique a également été effectué. Deux familles de BODIPYs ont été préparées en vue d’une utilisation dans des cellules solaires à colorant. Leur utilisation au sein d’une même structure a permis d’établir un nouveau record de conversion pour une telle utilisation d’un BODIPY. / During this thesis, boron complexes and π-stacking mediator planar moieties have been synthetized for photovoltaic applications. Thanks to the use of triazatruxene units on β-pyrrolic positions of a BODIPY core, the solar cells photoconversion efficiency has been increased. The BOPHY moiety, a di-nuclear boron complex, has been functionalized and optoelectronically studied. The first example of the use of BOPHY in organic solar cells has been performed. Two families of BODIPYs have also been prepared to be used in dye-sensitized solar cells. A new record of photoconversion efficiency for BODIPY based solar cells has been reached using a co-adsorption of two dyes having complementary absorptions within a unique solar cell.

Ce travail de thèse porte sur l’étudephoto-physique de chromophores donneur-π-accepteur utilisés dans les cellules solaires àcolorant. Après photo-excitation, ces moléculessubissent des processus de transfert de chargeintramoléculaire (ICT), de solvatation etd’injection de charges qui se déroulent dans ledomaine temporel de la picoseconde. Or touterelaxation énergétique de l’état excité diminue lacinétique de l’injection de charges.Des mesures de spectroscopie stationnaire et defluorescence résolue en temps (de la femto- à lananoseconde) ont permis de résoudre ladynamique de relaxation de ces colorants ensolution, sur films mésoporeux et en cellulescomplètes.Les dynamiques de relaxation spectrale etd’inhibition de l’intensité de fluorescence del’état excité ont pu être caractériséesindépendamment et mettent en évidence unchangement d’état électronique à l’état excité.Les trois colorants étudiés évoluent vers un étatà transfert de charge (état CT). Un tel étatinteragit fortement avec son environnement.Afin d’étudier l’injection de charge dans lesoxydes mésoporeux semi-conducteurs, unmontage expérimental de fluorescence résolue entemps destiné à l’étude de systèmes opaques etdiffusifs a été réalisé et est décrit dans cette thèse.Ce montage possède une résolution temporelled’environ 300 fs.Les résultats mettent en évidence la présenced’une compétition entre l’injection de charges etla relaxation de l’état excité dans les cellulescomplètes. / This thesis deals with thephotophysical study of donor-π-acceptorchromophores used in dye sensitized solar cells.After photo-excitation, these molecules undergointramolecular charge transfer (ICT), solvationand charge injection processes that take place inthe picosecond time domain. However, anyenergetic relaxation of the excited statedecreases the injection kinetics.Steady-state spectroscopy and time-resolvedfluorescence measurements (from the femto- tothe nanosecond) were used to solve therelaxation dynamics of these dyes in solution, onmesoporous films and in complete cells.The spectral relaxation and fluorescencequenching dynamics of the excited state couldbe characterized independently and highlight anelectronic relaxation at the excited state. Thethree dyes studied evolve towards a chargetransfer state (CT state). Such a state is in stronginteraction with its environment.To study charge injection in semiconductormesoporous oxides, a time-resolvedfluorescence set-up for the study of opaque anddiffusive systems has been implemented and isdescribed in this thesis. It provides a timeresolution of about 300 fs.The results demonstrate the existence of acompetition between the injection of chargesand the relaxation of the excited state in thecomplete cells

本論文は，色素増感型太陽電池(DSSC)に一般的に用いられる酸化チタン(TiO2)粒子(P25)および光電変換効率が比較的に高いとされるTiO2ナノ粒子について，薄膜作製および増感色素の吸着に電気泳動法を使用することを提案し，DSSCの光電変換効率の向上を目指して研究を行い，得られた成果を生かすことでDSSCの光電変換効率のさらなる向上，さらには量産性の大幅な向上の可能性を示したものである。 / 博士(工学) / Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), also known as Grätzel cells, have been identified as a cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture alternative to conventional solar cells. While mimicking natural photosynthesis, they are currently the most efficient third-generation solar technology available. Among others, their cost is dominated by the synthetic dye which consists of efficient Ruthenium based complexes due to their high and wide spectral absorbance. However, the severe toxicity, sophisticated preparation techniques as well as the elevated total cost of the sensitizing dye is of concern. Consequently, the current global trend in the field focuses on the exploitation of alternative organic dyes such as natural dyes which have been studied intensively. The main attractive features of natural dyes are their availability, environmental friendly, less toxicity, less polluting and low in cost. This contribution reports on the possibility of using sepia melanin dye for such DSSC application in replacement of standard costly ruthenium dyes. The sepia melanin polymer has interesting properties such as a considerable spectral absorbance width due to the high degree of conjugation of the molecule. This polymer is capable of absorbing light quantum, both at low and high energies ranging from the infrared to the UV region. The comprehensive literature survey on Grätzel solar cells, its operating principle, as well as its sensitization by natural dyes focusing on sepia melanin has been provided in this master’s dissertation. The obtained results in investigating the morphology, chemical composition, crystalline structure as well as optical properties of sepia melanin samples using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy x-ray diffraction, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy as well as Photoluminescence (PL) for Grätzel solar cell application have been reported. These results represent an important step forward in defining the structure of melanin. The results clearly show that sepia melanin can be used as natural dye to DSSC sensitization. It is promising for the realization of high cell performance, low-cost production, and non-toxicity. It should be emphasized here that natural dyes from food are better for human health than synthetic dyes. / Physics / 1 online resource (xii, 101 leaves) : illustrations / M. Sc. (Physics)