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 semico nductors, and featuring functions such as photoinduced charge separation an d the antenna effect for their use in sensitization of semiconductors are r eviewed. Such functions depend on the choice of specific molecular componen ts which may control the kinetics of the interfacial and intercomponent ele ctron transfer processes. Examples of molecular devices, which may prevent interfacial charge recombination in sensitized semiconductor cells, and exa mples of polynuclear complexes, supporting efficient intramolecular energy transfer to sensitizer units, are discussed.