The effect of anchoring group number on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Novel dyes comprising a triphenylamine donor, thiophene conjugated bridge and different numbers of anchor groups (cyanoacrylic acid acceptor) were synthesized and employed as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. The absorbance of the dyes in solution was red shifted and the first oxidation potential decreased with increasing butoxy group:anchor group ratio. Solar cells based on the dyes exhibited energy conversion efficiencies of 6.7–7.4% at 100 mW cm−2. Increasing butoxy group:anchor group ratio resulted in higher open-circuit voltage and higher efficiency.