A novel heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complex bearing a 4-picolinic acid unit as anchoring ligands (trans-dithiocyanato bis(4-picolinic acid)ruthenium(II) (trans-H1)) was synthesized and its chemical structure was identified by 1H-NMR, FT-IR and mass spectroscopy. The optical, thermal, electrochemical and dye adsorption properties of trans-H1 dye were investigated and compared with those of the gold standard ruthenium complex, Ru(4,4``-dicarboxy-2,2``-bipyridine)2cis(NCS)2 (N3). DSSCs based on trans-H1 dyes were examined under the illumination of AM 1.5 G, 100 mWcm-2 and exhibited typical photovoltaic properties with an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.46 V, a short-circuit current (JSC) of 4.10 mA·cm-2, a fill factor (FF) of 60.4%, and a conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.14%.

The adsorption kinetic study of ruthenium complex, N3, onto nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) photoanodes has been carried out by measuring dye uptake in-situ. Three simplified kinetic models including a pseudo first-order equation, pseudo second-order equation and intraparticle diffusion equation were chosen to follow the adsorption process. Kinetic parameters, rate constant, equilibrium adsorption capacities and related coefficient coefficients for each kinetic model were calculated and discussed. It was shown that the adsorption kinetics of N3 dye molecules onto porous TiO2 obeys pseudo second-order kinetics with chemisorption being the rate determining step. Additionally the heterogeneous surface and the pore size distribution of porous TiO2 adsorbents were also discussed.