Structure and spectral properties of triphenylamine dye functionalized with 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene

Abstract

Based on the density functional theory with the B3LYP, BMK, and PBE1PBE hybrid functionals and 6–31G(d) atomic-orbital basis set, the structure and electronic-spectral properties of a triphenylamine dye sensitizer for photoelectric converters that is functionalized with 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene have been studied. The nature of an intense color of the sensitizer is elucidated. The relation of the orbital structure of the first excited state to the mechanism by which the intensity and polarization of the visible absorption band are formed, as well as the electron injection efficiency into the conduction band of titanium oxide, are explained. In terms of the Bader theory, a complete analysis of the electron density distribution in the dye molecule under study has been performed and the role played by nonvalent interactions in its stabilization has been determined.