Design of diketopyrrolopyrrole chromophores applicable as sensitizers in dye-sensitized photovoltaic windows for green houses

Three diketopyrrolopyrrole D-pi-A chromophores have been designed as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. Design was aided by DFT and Time Resolved TFT theoretical calculations. The prime goal was to obtain dyes, which do not absorb light in the spectral zones that favor plant growth, so that the dyes may act as sensitizers in photovoltaic windows for green houses. This prime goal was accomplished to a very satisfactory degree. When applied to dye-sensitized solar cell devices using I-3(-)/I- redox, the three dyes demonstrated a diverse behavior. The most efficient solar cells were obtained with a symmetric dye employing two cyanoacrylic acid acceptors. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.