Double connector to TiO2 surface in small molecule triphenyl amine dyes for DSSC applications.

Two novel dyes 3a and 3b named triphenylamine groups containing donor–acceptor structural units have been explored to be used in dye sensitized solar cells as organic sensitizers. The absorption bands of the dyes were extended up to ~ 550 nm with visible absorption maxima at 408–430 nm and optical band gaps of 2.44–2.47 eV. Compared to the methoxyphenyl-substituted dye, the introduction of triisopropylphenyl group instead of that increased fluorescence quantum yields and exhibited red-shift emission in chloroform. We have investigated the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs based on these metal free organic dyes. It has been found that the power conversion efficiency of DSSCs sensitized with methoxyphenyl based triphenylamine dye is higher than that for sensitized with triisopropylphenyl derivative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]