Stable dye-sensitized solar cells based on organic chromophores and ionic liquid electrolyte

A series of polyene–diphenylaniline based organic dyes (coded as D5, D7, D9 and D11) have been reported for the application in ionic liquid electrolyte based dye-sensitized solar cells. The effects of substitution of organic dyes on the photovoltaic performance have been investigated, which show addition of methoxy groups on the triphenylamine donor group increases short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and photovoltaic performance. A power conversion efficiency of 6.5% under AM 1.5 sunlight at 100 mW/cm2 has been obtained with D11 dye in combination with a binary ionic liquid electrolyte, which when subjected to accelerated testing under one sun light soaking at 60 °C, the efficiency remained 90% of initial efficiency.

► Dye-sensitized solar cells based on Polyene–diphenylaniline organic sensitizers explored. ► Alkoxy group substitution on the triphenylamine donor increases the photovoltaic performance. ► DSC devices with Ionic liquid electrolytes exhibit good stability.