New D–π-A system dye based on dithienosilole and carbazole: Synthesis, photo-electrochemical properties and dye-sensitized solar cell performance

•A dual π-conjugation dye based on dithioensilole, carbazole was designed and synthesized.•The incorporation of dithioensilole and ethynyl lowered its LUMO level and energy gap.•DSSC sensitized by the dye possessed a power conversation efficiency of 4.80%.

New donor–linker–acceptor pattern organic dye containing a dithienosilole unit as a π-conjugated system, a carbazole moiety as an electron donor, and a cyanoacrylic acid unit as an electron acceptor was synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Its photophysical and electrochemical properties were investigated, the dithienosilole unit could dramatically lower the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level and energy gap. Its performances as sensitizers in solar cells were measured, and possessed a power conversion efficiency of 4.80%.

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