Highly efficient benzodifuran based ruthenium sensitizers for thin-film dye-sensitized solar cells

• Synthesis of benzodifuran derived ruthenium dyes for DSSC application.
• Enhanced light-harvesting of the benzodifuran moiety is related to photocurrent.
• Solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency up to 46% higher compared to Z907.
• External quantum efficiency of 53%.

The synthesis of 4,4′-dibenzodifuran-2,2′-bipyridine derivatives as ligands of organic ruthenium dyes for DSSC applications is described. Two new heteroleptic ruthenium complexes have been prepared and compared with commercially available N719 and Z907 dyes, using dip dyeing and flow dyeing methods in large area testing cells prepared for industrial purposes. The newly synthesized dyes revealed higher solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency (η), measured at the AM1.5G conditions, up to 21% compared to N719 and up to 46% compared to Z907, and external quantum efficiency of 53%. These results can be explained by enhanced light-harvesting of the benzodifuran moiety of the dyes that is related to photocurrent.

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