Molecular Design to Improve the Performance of Donor-p Acceptor Near-IR Organic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Near-dye experience: Long, flexible carbon chains in the lateral anchoring groups of the donor part of a donor-π acceptor organic dye increase the power conversion efficiency dramatically. This performance enhancement can be ascribed to the prevention of the formation of molecular aggregates on the semiconductor nanoparticles, resulting in a lower recombination rate between transported electrons and I 3 - ions. A cell based on the new dye, HY113, gives a maximum IPCE value of 93% at 660nm.