Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of new ferrocenyl substituted triphenylamine based donor–acceptor dyes for dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Two new ferrocenyl substituted triphenylamine based donor–acceptor dyes D1 and D2 were synthesized and used as sensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSC based on D2 shows a higher power conversion efficiency of 4.96% as compared to dye D1 (PCE = 3.65%). The higher value of PCE was attributed to the increase in the light harvesting property of dye D2 because of its extended absorption profile up to the near infrared region and a higher value of dye loading on the photoanode surface. The observed value of a higher PCE has also been confirmed by electrochemical impedance data and dark current.