Solvent free synthesis of vinylcyanoacetohydrazone bridged diferrocenyl organometallic compounds as bifunctional molecule for donor-acceptor and photovoltaic properties

Facile synthesis of cyanovinylhydrazone bridged diferrocenyl compounds using a unique solid state synthetic method led to the formation of donor-acceptor type compounds with wide absorption in the visible region. Crystallographic analysis, spectroscopic characterization and absorption-emission spectral properties were studied to understand the structural identity and electronic nature of the molecular compounds. Fabrication of a solar cell device using the diferrocenyl donor-acceptor compound as a bifunctional system showed a moderate open-circuit voltage (V-OC) of 331 mV. DFT calculation was carried out to study the electron transfer processes during the operation of the solar cell device and to understand its potential for future application. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.