Molecular and supramolecular sensitization of nanocrystalline wide band-gap semiconductors with mononuclear and polynuclear metal complexes

Some strategies for the design of mononuclear sensitizers and of artificial supramolecular systems useful in the sensitization of wide band-gap semiconductors, and featuring functions such as photoinduced charge separation and the antenna effect for their use in sensitization of semi-conductors are reviewed. Such functions depend on the choice of specific molecular components which may control the kinetics of the interfacial and intercomponent electron transfer processes. Examples of molecular devices, which may prevent interfacial charge recombination in sensitized semiconductor cells, and examples of polynuclear complexes, supporting efficient intramolecular energy transfer to sensitizer units, are discussed.