Synthesis of D-(π-A)2 organic chromophores for dye-sensitized solar cells

New bi-anchoring donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) metal-free organic dyes based on diphenylamine, carbazole as donor, cyano vinyl biphenyl as a π-linker and cyanoacrylic acid, rhodanine-3-acetic acid as acceptor/anchor are synthesized, characterized and used for the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. Among the fabricated DSSCs, device based on the carbazole as donor, cyano vinyl biphenyl as a π-linker and cyanoacrylic acid as acceptor exhibits a high power conversion efficiency of 2.37% with a short-circuit current density of 5.18 mAcm−2, an open-circuit photo voltage of 0.766 V and a fill factor of 50.8% under AM1.5 illumination (85 mWcm−2) compared to other devices.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of new bi-anchoring donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) metal-free organic dyes. ► Studies of properties such as electrochemical, photophysical and theoretical by appropriate methods. ► Fabricated photovoltaic device based on carbazole as donor and cyanoacrylic acid as acceptor shows good efficiency.