Novel D-π-A type II organic sensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells

Four organic donor-π-conjugated-acceptor (D-π-A) type II dyes with different thiophene linkers are reported for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For the first time, a donor (triphenylamine) was introduced in type II sensitizers, and 2-hydroxybenzonitrile as acceptor/anchoring moiety was covalently linked TiO2 particles. The dye LS203 in this series gives the best solar energy conversion efficiency of 3.4%, with Jsc = 7.4 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.67 V, FF = 0.69, the maximum IPCE value reaches 66.9%.