Effect of structural modification on the performances of phenothiazine-dye sensitized solar cells. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Xuxu; Long, Jun; Wang, Guo; Pei, Yong; Zhao, Bin; Tan, Songting
• Is Part Of: Dyes and pigments. Volume 121(2015)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cells -- Phenothiazine -- Benzothiadiazole -- Photovoltaic performances -- Triphenylamine -- Synthesis; Dyes and dyeing -- Periodicals; Pigments -- Periodicals; 667.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2015.05.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7208

Abstract

Abstract: Three novel dyesDX1, DX2 andDX3 containing phenothiazine are designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of the three dyes have been systematically investigated. The results show that theDX1 -based DSSC with 0.5 mM chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) obtains the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.69%. When an additional electron-deficient benzothiadiazole (BT) unit is introduced into the molecular structures of the dyesDX2 andDX3, the absorption spectra are broadened. But the short-circuit photocurrent density ( J sc ) of the devices are decreased due to the blocked electron transfer, so the DSSC device based onDX2 only obtains the PCE of 3.43%. Furthermore, a triphenylamine (TPA) unit with high electron-donating ability is joined onto the nitrogen atom of phenothiazine donor inDX3, which enhances the electron injection efficiency and reduces the dye aggregation. Thus, the J sc is improved, resulting in a higher PCE of 4.41% in the DX3-based dye than theDX2 -based one. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Three novel phenothiazine-based dyes were synthesized for DSSCs. The DSSC device based on the dyeDX1 obtained the highest PCE of 5.69%. The dyesDX2 andDX3 displayed broad spectra responses.