Abstract
► Dye-sensitized solar cells based on Polyene–diphenylaniline organic sensitizers explored. ► Alkoxy group substitution on the triphenylamine donor increases the photovoltaic performance. ► DSC devices with Ionic liquid electrolytes exhibit good stability.
A series of polyene–diphenylaniline based organic dyes (coded as
D5,
D7,
D9 and
D11) have been reported for the application in ionic liquid electrolyte based dye-sensitized solar cells. The effects of substitution of organic dyes on the photovoltaic performance have been investigated, which show addition of methoxy groups on the triphenylamine donor group increases short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and photovoltaic performance. A power conversion efficiency of 6.5% under AM 1.5 sunlight at 100
mW/cm
2 has been obtained with
D11 dye in combination with a binary ionic liquid electrolyte, which when subjected to accelerated testing under one sun light soaking at 60
°C, the efficiency remained 90% of initial efficiency.