Synthesis of D-(π-A)2 organic chromophores for dye-sensitized solar cells

New bi-anchoring donor-pi-acceptor (D-pi-A) metal-free organic dyes based on diphenylamine, carbazole as donor, cyano vinyl biphenyl as a pi-linker and cyanoacrylic acid, rhodanine-3-acetic acid as acceptor/anchor are synthesized, characterized and used for the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. Among the fabricated DSSCs, device based on the carbazole as donor, cyano vinyl biphenyl as a pi-linker and cyanoacrylic acid as acceptor exhibits a high power conversion efficiency of 2.37% with a short-circuit current density of 5.18 mAcm(-2), an open-circuit photo voltage of 0.766 V and a fill factor of 50.8% under AM1.5 illumination (85 mWcm(-2)) compared to other devices. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.