Triazatruxene-based sensitizers for highly efficient solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Molecularly engineered strongly conjugated and rigid hybrid triazatruxene (TAT)-based dyes ZL001 and ZL003 were fabricated as excellent dyes for solid-state dye sensitized solar cells (ssDSSC). Y123 was used as a reference dye. The efficiencies of 5.4%, 6.6% and 6.1% for ZL001, ZL003 and Y123 based solid-state devices are obtained, respectively, with 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis (N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD) as hole transporting material. The photovoltaic performance of the TAT-based dye ZL003 was higher than previously published Y123 dye, which possesses a strong push pull conjugated structure. The effects of molecular structure on optical and electrochemical properties, charge extraction kinetics, and photovoltaic performance of the sensitizers were systematically researched. Our results indicate that TAT-based dyes are attractive for application in ssDSSC.