Preparation of donor–acceptor type organic dyes bearing various electron-withdrawing groups for dye-sensitized solar cell application

Abstract

Novel donor-π-spacer-acceptor type organic dyes bearing various electron-withdrawing groups on their acceptor part were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation with acetic acid silyl ester derivatives. Dye-sensitized solar cells with the new dyes present solar light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 2.51-4.05%.