Dual-channel anchorable organic dye with triphenylamine-based core bridge unit for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dual-channel (DC) anchorable organic dye based on an acceptor-pi-donor-core bridge donor-donor-pi-acceptor structural motif, was synthesized and used as sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). DC dye linked the two donors using a core bridge donor such as triphenylamine unit, which makes two channels maintaining a particular distance (>4 angstrom). The inter-planar DC5 exhibited dye aggregation and charge recombination due to strongly intermolecular pi-pi stacking between the channels of DC dyes adsorbed on the TiO2 surface. As a result, a solar cell based on DC5 with a hole conductor coadsorbent of HC-A1 showed better photovoltaic performance with a J(sc) of 8.90 mA cm(-2), a V-oc of 0.70 V, and an FF of 0.77, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency (eta) of 4.80%. Published by Elsevier Ltd.