The Artificial Leaf, Molecular Photovoltaics Achieve Efficient Generation of Electricity from Sunlight

Abstract

A new molecular photovoltaic system for solar light harvesting and conversion to electricity has been developed. It is based on the spectral sensitization of a thin ceramic membrane by suitable transition metal complexes. The film consists of nanometer-sized colloidal titanium dioxide particles sintered together to allow for charge carrier transport. When derivatized with a suitable chromophore these membranes give extraordinary efficiencies for the conversion of incident photons into electric current, exceeding 90% for certain transition metal complexes within the wavelength range of their absorption band. The present paper discusses the underlying physical principles of these astonishing findings. Exploiting this discovery, we have developed a new type of photovoltaic device whose overall light to electric energy conversion yield is 11% in diffuse daylight and 6% under direct (AM1) solar irradiation.