New D-D-π-A-type indol-triarylamine sensitizers for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

• A series of new D-D-π-A-type indol-triarylamine dyes were synthesized.
• The reliability of the target product was evaluated by theoretical calculation.
• All the dyes thermo-stability, optical and electrochemical properties are tested.
• The new dyes possess excellent non-planarity and relative high melting point.
• The selected product performed well as the dyes of DSSCs.

A series of new D-D-π-A-type indol-triarylamine sensitizers were designed and evaluated by the theoretical calculations. Based on the exciting results of calculation, they were synthesized and used as the sensitizers for DSSCs. The results indicated that the incorporation of indole derivatives and TPA skeleton made the new dyes possessing excellent non-planarity, optical and electrochemical properties, thermo-stability and relative high melting point and therefore performed well as expected as the dyes of a DSSC.