Performance improvement of dye-sensitizing solar cell by semi-rigid triarylamine-based donors

Novel organic dyes (IDB and ISB dyes), which contain 5-phenyl-iminodibenzyl (IDB) and 5-phenyl-iminostilbene (ISB) as electron donors and a cyanoacrylic acid moiety as an electron acceptor and an anchoring group, connected with a thiophene as a π-conjugated system, have been synthesized and used as the sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the dyes were investigated by absorption spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory calculations. As demonstrated, the IDB and ISB unit exhibited stronger electron-donating ability and broader absorption spectra when coated onto TiO2. The DSSC based on ISB-2 consisting of ISB unit produced 5.83% of η (Jsc = 13.14 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.64 V, and ff = 0.68) under 100 mW cm−2 simulated AM 1.5 G solar irradiation.

Graphical abstractNovel organic dyes containing 5-phenyl-iminodibenzyl (IDB) and 5-phenyl-iminostilbene (ISB) as electron donors have been synthesized and used as the sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSC based on ISB-2 consisting of ISB unit produced 5.83% of η (Jsc = 13.14 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.64 V, and ff = 0.68) under 100 mW cm−2 simulated AM 1.5 G solar irradiation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Sensitizers containing the IDB and ISB units as electron donors were synthesized. ► The ISB unit exhibited stronger electron-donating ability. ► The increased linker conjugation appears to contribute to higher Jsc and IPCE. ► The DSSC based on ISB-2 consisting of ISB unit showed efficiency of 5.83%.