Preparation of phosphonated polypyridyl ligands to anchor transition-metal complexes on oxide surfaces: application for the conversion of light to electricity with nanocrystalline TiO₂films

Abstract

To anchor transition-metal compounds onto metal oxide surfaces 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine-4′-phosphonic acid (4′-PO3H2-terpy) is synthesized; strong surface adhesion as well as efficient charge-transfer sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2 films has been observed with a ruthenium complex involving this ligand.