Benzo[α]phenothiazine sensitized ZrO2 based dye sensitized solar cell

Benzo[α]phenothiazine derived 6-methyl-5H-benzo[α]phenothiazin-5-one (benzo[α]phenothiazine) photosensitizer was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. ZrO 2 based dye sensitized solar cell was developed and fabricated successfully with 6-methyl-5H-benzo[α]phenothiazin-5-one dye as photosensitizer for photovoltaic performance. Synthesized dye exerts UV–visible bands at 258, 316, 337 and 382 nm attributed to π–π* transitions. The band ~ 477 nm was assigned to n–π* transition. Sandwich type cell was fabricated with ZrO 2 photoanode, mesoporous films were prepared with doctor blade method, films were annulated and after natural cooling they are subjected for dye loading. The observed photovoltaic performance was recorded and respective parameters obtained are J sc , V oc , FF and η as 3.01 mA/cm 2 , 0.42 V, 0.20 and 1.6% respectively.