Application In Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Research Articles

Computational study of the optical and photovoltaic properties of novel dyes for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

In this work, we examine the performance of novel dyes as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. We use density functional theory calculations to explore the energy levels, absorption wavelengths, and photovoltaic characteristics of these dyes. The calculated energy levels show appropriate alignment with electron transport layers, guaranteeing efficient charge injection and reducing energy losses. These dyes also exhibit absorption wavelengths in the visible range, indicating that they are capable of efficiently harnessing solar energy. Analysis of their photovoltaic properties has demonstrated their potential in terms of the open circuit voltage. The dyes show favorable properties, making them potential candidates for efficient light absorption and electron transfer in dye-sensitized solar cells. These results underline the need to include them in future dye-sensitized solar cells research and provide interesting pointers for the design and optimization of efficient photosensitizers.

Synthesis of efficient bi-anchoring bifuran/biphenyl derivatives for dye-sensitized solar cell applications.

The synthesis, description, and demonstration of dye-sensitive solar cell sensitizers containing bifuran/biphenyl derivatives with cyanoacetic acid, barbiturate, thiobarbituric acid, and 4-carboxylcyanoacetamides have been reported. A photovoltaic performance measurement was conducted using the Ru(ii) dye N3 as a reference to examine the effects of different electron acceptor units and replacement of the π-spacer bifuran by biphenyl units on the photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of eight new distinct organic dyes HB-1-8. The new organic dyes HB-1-8 were prepared and compared with the N3 metal dye. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to explore the ground state geometrical structures and electronic structures of the eight dyes. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar condition, the solar cells based on HB-1-8 show the overall power conversion efficiencies of 2.93-5.51%. The presented research shows that the organic dye photovoltaic performances can vary greatly depending on the type of electron donor and acceptor used. Dye HB-3 exhibited the highest efficiency among the eight investigated dyes, reaching 5.51% with a V OC value higher than N3.

Computational Screening of D-π-A Structured with Acceptor-Tuned Metal-Free Organic Dye Molecules for DSSCs

Four metal-free carbazole-based acceptor-tuned organic molecules (denoted as CBa1–CBa4) based on electron-donor, [Formula: see text]-spacer and electron-acceptor (D-[Formula: see text]-A) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been newly designed. The electronic structures, optical absorption ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) properties and photovoltaic (PV) parameters of CBa1–CBa4 dyes were computationally studied by the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. These molecules were planned through chemical alterations of the acceptor group of a literature-based organic dye known as CB1 dye. The planning of CBa1–CBa4 dyes was to decrease the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and lowest unoccupied MOs (LUMOs) of the energy gap ([Formula: see text]) and to red-shift their UV–Vis response compared to CB1. This study was initially performed using the exchange correctional (XC) and long-range corrected (LC) with the computational ideal in the TD-DFT method significantly to get an accurate absorption wavelength for CB1. From the XC and LC results, CAM-B3LYP functional is better matched with CB1. So, further newly organic CBa1–CBa4 dyes UV–Vis spectra were followed by this method. According to DFT and TDDFT results, CBa1 and CBa2 molecules were found to have reduced HOMOs–LUMOs energy gap, longer UV–Vis spectra and faster charger transfer (CT) character compared to CB1. The conclusion recommends that the newly designed molecules are hopeful and appropriate for optoelectronic devices. Hence, the work predicts to support the new scheming carbazole-based molecules with the studied properties for synthetizing to DSSC applications.

Azo-guanidine-based novel molecules for dye-sensitized solar cell applications: a density functional theory study

Azo-guanidine-based novel molecules for dye-sensitized solar cell applications: a density functional theory study

Fabrication of g-C3N4-reinforced CdS nanosphere-decorated TiO2 nanotablet composite material for photocatalytic hydrogen production and dye-sensitized solar cell application

Herein, a glib method to produce g-C3N4-reinforced CdS-modified anatase TiO2 is proposed. The CdS spheres broaden the visible region absorption spectrum of TiO2 and improve the charge-transfer mechanism by reinforcing it with g-C3N4. Thus, we aim to improve the photocatalytic efficiency using ternary photocatalyst. Powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy images are accomplished to characterize the components of a ternary composite. Ternary semiconductors possess a better photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production (233 μmol g−12 h−1) than other synthesized semiconductors. DSSCs are fabricated using the prepared electrodes as photoanodes and investigated using current density–voltage, the EQE, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The fabricated DSSC shows the highest overall conversion efficiency of 4.16%, open-circuit voltage of 0.75 V, and short-circuit current density of 10.17 mA/cm2. The heterojunction catalysts formed by semiconductors with matched bandgaps have enhanced photocatalytic ability and better solar cell performance.

Enhancement of Power Conversion Efficiency with Zinc Oxide as Photoanode and Cyanococcus, Punica granatum L., and Vitis vinifera as Natural Fruit Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Ruthenium N719 is a well-known material used as the dye in commercial dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices. However, it poses risks to human health and the environment over time. On the other hand, titanium dioxide (TiO2) has low electron mobility and high recombination losses when used as a photoanode in this photovoltaic technology device. In addition, using Ruthenium as the dye material harms the environment and human health. As an alternative sensitizer to compensate Ruthenium on two different photoanodes (TiO2 and ZnO), we constructed DSSC devices in this study using three different natural dyes (blueberry, pomegranate, and black grape). In good agreement with the anthocyanin content in the fruits, black grape, with the highest anthocyanin content (450.3 mg/L) compared to other fruit dyes (blueberry—386.6 mg/L and pomegranate—450.3 mg/L), resulted in the highest energy conversion efficiency (3.63%) for the natural dye-based DSSC. Furthermore, this research proved that the electrical performance of natural dye sensitizer in DSSC applications with a ZnO photoanode is better than using hazardous Ru N719 dye with a TiO2 photoanode owing to the advantage of high electron mobility in ZnO.

Density Functional Evaluation of Catechol Adsorption on Pristine and Reduced TiO2(B)(100) Ultrathin Sheets for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

The introduction of defects is one of the most recurrent pathways to generate modifications to materials' electronic structure and surface reactivity. In this work, calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) were applied to study the electronic properties of pristine and reduced TiO2(B)(100) ultrathin sheets to evaluate their potential as a semiconductor material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It was carried out by introducing vacancy defects on these surfaces and then adsorbing a catechol molecule, used as a model of a direct electron injection sensitizer (type-II dye), in different interaction configurations. Geometric, energetic, and electronic analyses were performed, focusing on the electronic structure changes and charge transfer between the dye and surface during molecular adsorption. The obtained results seem to indicate that a thickness of four layers is adequate to obtain a satisfactory slab model approximation of the TiO2(B)(100) surface. The presence of oxygen vacancy states among the majority of the reduced surfaces was observed as well as a reduction of the band gap energy value. Additionally, the adsorption of catechol in the reduced surface induced an increase in light absorption compared to the pristine model. These attributes suggest that reduced ultrathin sheets of TiO2(B) could be a suitable candidate as a photoelectrode for DSSC applications.

New photosensitizers that are based on carbazoles and have thiophene bridges with a low bandgap do 32% better than N719 metal complex dye

Synthesis of metal-free organic sensitizers is a promising route for obtaining low-cost, high-efficiency sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We present the results of a comprehensive photovoltaic analysis of four carbazole organic sensitizers with a D-A architecture in this study. MES 1-4 have been developed and used as sensitizers in DSSC applications. Using MES1-4 as sensitizers results in a broader light-harvesting ability (400–800 nm) and higher photovoltaic efficiency at a range of 6.06–9.55 %. Herein, the introduction of thiazolidine-4-one ring engineering into MES4 as a rich electron acceptor enhanced electron injection and inhibited electron recombination in thiazolidine-4-one sensitizers. The MES4 system has the highest light harvesting ability and reflectivity owing to the existence of distinct functional groups that enhanced the capacity to bind the dye with the semiconductor layer (TiO2 device's efficiency). In conclusion, the DSSC using the novel electron acceptor thiazolidine-4-one ring sensitizer achieves an unexpected PCE of 9.55 % and a 32 % increase over using the N719 metal complex dye. All sensitizers based on carbazole compounds had good photovoltaic performance.

Effect of end groups on fluorene based dyes without carboxyl anchors as efficient co-sensitizer for retarding charge recombination in DSSC applications

Herein, simple A- π-D- π-A type fluorene-based metal-free organic dyes denoted as DICTF and DRCTF, carrying different terminal units without carboxylic acid were synthesize and utilizes as effective co-sensitizer. By tuning the electron-accepting cyanated terminal units in the dyes, their photo physical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were investigated. After stepwise co-sensitization of TiO2 photoanode with DRCTF/N-719 shows a PCE (Power Conversion Efficiency) of 8.22% which is higher than that of bare N-719 alone (4.23%) or higher than for the device co-sensitized with DICTF/N-719 (6.54%). The PCE of the N-719 dye is improved by co-sensitization with the dyes DICTF and DRCTF, clearly reflects in both short circuit current and open-circuit voltage results. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) analysis reveals the slow recombination kinetics and extended electron life time of the co-sensitized devices compared with N-719 dye-sensitized alone. Hence, a new stepwise co-sensitization strategy has been implemented in which, the main sensitizer has carboxyl anchors and the co-sensitizer does not have an anchoring group. This helps to boost the performances in the DSSC (Dye sensitized solar cells) by receiving panchromatic absorption and reducing the dye aggregation caused wherein N-719 dye is co-sensitized with DICTF or DRCTF.

Fabrication of Carbon/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites as Highly Efficient Catalytic Materials for Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Different nanostructured semiconducting ZnO photoanodes were prepared by Hydrothermal (HT), Co-precipitation (CoP) and Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) methods for their use in the Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) in the present study. Additionally, different ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized by mixing the Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Graphene Oxide (GO) and their combination with the ZnO nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed various morphologies of ZnO nanostructures and nanocomposites such as nanoflowers, nanorods, rhombohedral, cubic, and cauliflower-like nanorods, and nanorods with hexagonal symmetry. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra confirmed the purity of the synthesized samples. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) demonstrated the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO and a minor presence of CNTs and graphene. The UV-Visible, transmittance and diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrated that the ZnO synthesized through the CBD method exhibits the highest transmittance as 70–71% in the UV-Vis range and reduced % R. Optical band gaps of the samples were determined with the help of Tauc plots. Comparison of J-V characteristics showed that the ZnO synthesized via the HT method exhibits the highest conversion efficiency of 1.45%. Comparison among pristine ZnO synthesized via CBD and ZnO nanocomposites revealed that ZnO/CNTs possesses the highest energy conversion efficiency of 1.23% with enhanced JSC of 4.49 mA/cm2.

Efisiensi Counter Electrode Dengan Pengurangan Pemakaian Platina Menggunakan Komposit Bahan Ramah Lingkungan Grafin Dan Carbon Nanotubes Untuk Aplikasi Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

<p><span lang="EN-AU">Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are the most popular solar cells in the third generation. DSSCs have been widely developed as an alternative to silicon-based solar cells because of its easy manufacturing process, high efficiency, easy production costs, and environmental friendliness. Graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising materials to reduce the use of platinum (Pt) in counter electrode (CE) due to their excellent properties, such as thermal, electrical conductivity, and high surface area. One of the derivatives of graphene that is often used is reduced graphene oxide (rGO) which is produced from GO solution by a reduction process. GO was synthesized in an electrolyte containing surfactant by the electrochemical exfoliation method. The specially prepared sodium 1,4-bis(neopentyloxy)-3-(neopentyloxycarbonyl)-1,4-dioxobutane-2-silphonate (TC14) surfactant was used in GO synthesis. The CE thin film of TC14-rGO/CNTs/Pt hybrid shows the highest efficiency values (0.0594%) with Jsc, Voc, and FF of 0.176 mA/cm2, 0.622 V, and 0.464, respectively. This was believed due to the conjugated network in CNTs acts as a connecting cable between the TC14-rGO layers and as a vacancy filler, the high electrical conductivity value and the larger surface area also cause faster electron movement, making these properties important in DSSC performance. The FF value which is also the highest in the TC14-rGO/CNTs/Pt hybrid samples as CE is also influenced by its structure. The high surface area of CNTs and TC14-rGO in the TC14-rGO/CNTs/Pt hybrid samples exhibited important properties for generating dye after electron injection and led to a faster route of electron regulation during DSSCs processing. These findings indicate that Pt composited with environmentally friendly and inexpensive materials such as T14-rGO and CNTs can improve CE performance in DSSCs applications. Based on this, this research can be used as a basis for further research on the fabrication of carbon-based CE</span></p>

Simultaneous effect of activated carbon and chlorophyll pigment from leaves of acacia nilotica on the enhancement of electron transfer in DSSC applications

A well-defined attempt has been made to confirm the impact of green dye with activated carbon on the performance of Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) compared to the natural red dye as sensitizer. Green dye from the leaf of Acacia Nilotica combined with the activated carbon derived from coconut Shell and red dye from beet root with activated carbon extracted using ethanol have been used to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells. The pH of the extracts confirms the acidic nature of the dyes. The chlorophyll pigments in the green dye and activated carbon particles have pronounced effect for the efficiency of the solar cell. It is found that the solar cell with green dye and activated carbon has given an efficiency of 0.69% with fill factor, open circuit voltage and short circuit current density of 0.5361, 0.65 V and 2.0 mA cm−2. The red dye with activated carbon as sensitizer has given the efficiency of 0.504%. Analysis of the green dye with activated carbon in DSSC has proven the enhanced electron injection with low charge transfer resistance of 58 Ω and higher rate of reduction of redox couple I−/I3 −.

Screening the influence of methoxy and anisyl groups to perylene based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell applications: a computational approach

Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations are used to investigate the effect of methoxy and anisyl molecules attached to perylene, as well as the different positions of the sensitizers' π-spacers. The optical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of designed sensitizers are investigated in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. Perylene serves as an electron donor and cyanoacrylic acid serves as an acceptor in the sensitizers under investigation. In the six configurations designed, cyanovinyl and thiophene are used as π-spacers. Methoxy and anisyl groups are two more donors that were combined with perylene to study the sensitizers' optoelectronic properties. UV-vis absorption spectra, light-harvesting efficiency (LHE), highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap, electron injection, electron regeneration, and nonlinear optical properties were used to compare optical and electronic properties. The incorporation of additional donors and different positions of spacers reduced the energy gap; red shifted the absorption spectra; and are prone to exhibit better power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSSC.

Top sensitizers for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) still survive as one of the promising low-cost photovoltaic third-generation technologies, addressing ‘secure, clean and efficient solar energy conversion’. Here we present and compare some recent state-of-the-art progress on the exploitation of the best artificial dyes for application in DSSCs. Furthermore, we provide an extensive discussion on the main limitations in the use of these dyes, outlining future developments for their use in bifacial employment exploring their frontal and back irradiation. We report also how to take advantage of the Albedo effect to boost power conversion efficiency. Finally, we present our view on the future prospective in the development of advanced materials for better DSSCs.

Synthesis of novel pyridinium based compounds and their possible application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Five novel D-π-A structured pyridinium based compounds, bearing different electron-donating units were synthesized, minutely characterized, and their solvatochromic and electronic properties were investigated. Subsequently, these compounds were added to a liquid electrolyte in order to enhance the photovoltaic performance of the N719-sensitized solar cell. It was demonstrated that the utilization of all compounds improved the conversion efficiency, compared to the reference solar cell comprised of plain liquid electrolyte. The photovoltaic performance of the fabricated DSSC depended of the electron-donating moiety of the synthesized compound. The highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 4.11% was obtained for DSSC with the compound bearing the 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl group.

Carbazole based D-πi-π-A dyes for DSSC applications: DFT/TDDFT study of the influence of πi-spacers on the photovoltaic performance

In this study, we have designed a series of novel D-πi-π-A organic dyes with different πi-spacers (Di, i = 2–8) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) based on the synthesized dye D1 to improve the photovoltaic performance of these designed organic dyes. The influence of different types of πi-spacers on the sensitizer properties was studied theoretically by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods aimed at revealing structure–property structures. The calculated results show that replacing the thionothiophene (π1) as a donor electron-rich group with electron-deficiency groups (π2-π8) results in a significantly smaller HOMO-LUMO energy gap and a broader absorption spectrum for all designed dyes. This results reveal that these designed dyes would be used as promising sensitizers for DSSCs, and D6 could be the excellent candidate for high efficiency DSSCs due the planar geometry, a small energy gap (1.78 eV), longer wavelength absorption (756.95 nm), longer lifetimes (9.23 ns), a lower ΔGreg (0.17 eV), a large dipole moment of D6-(TiO2)6 (21.94 D), and reasonable energy reorganization (0.536 eV). This theoretical investigation is expected to provide new strategies to synthesize efficient sensitizer for DSSCs.

Experimental and Computational Studies on Bio-Inspired Flavylium Salts as Sensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Six new bio-inspired flavylium salts were synthesized and investigated by a combined computational and experimental study for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. The compounds were characterized by FT–IR, UV–Vis, NMR spectroscopy, and LC–MS spectrometry techniques. The pH-dependent photochromic properties of the flavylium dyes were investigated through a UV–Vis spectroscopy study and revealed that they follow the same network of chemical reactions as anthocyanins upon pH changes. The structural and electronic properties of the dyes were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD–DFT). Geometry optimization calculation revealed that all dyes, regardless of the specie, flavylium cations or quinoidal bases, present a planar geometry. The photovoltaic performances of the dyes, in both flavylium and quinoidal base forms, were evaluated by the HOMO and LUMO energies and by calculating the light-harvesting efficiencies, the free energy change of electron injection, and the free energy change regeneration. The MO analysis showed that all dyes can inject electrons into the conduction band of the TiO2 upon excitation and that the redox couple can regenerate the oxidized dyes. The results obtained for the free energy change of electron injection suggest that the quinoidal bases should inject electrons into the semiconductor more efficiently than the flavylium cations. The values for the free energy change regeneration showed that the redox electrolyte can easily regenerate all dyes. Dipole moment analysis was also performed. DSSCs based on the dyes, in both flavylium and quinoidal base forms, were assembled, and their photovoltaic performances were evaluated by measuring the open-circuit voltage, the short circuit current density, the fill factor, and the energy conversion efficiency. Results obtained by both experimental and computational studies showed that the overall performances of the DSSCs with the quinoidal forms were better than those obtained with the flavylium cations dyes.

Boosting catalytic performance of hierarchical Co/Co0.85Se microspheres via Mott-Schottky effect toward triiodide reduction and alkaline hydrogen evolution

Interface engineered composites composing of metal and transition metal selenides have been deemed as promising substitutes as noble Pt in the fields of the energy conversion. Herein, the well-defined hierarchical Co/Co 0.85 Se microsphere with Mott-Schottky (M-S) effect was synthesized by the facile solvothermal method (Co/Co 0.85 Se-3). Interestingly, the as-obtained 3D Co 0.85 Se microsphere was assembled by 2D porous nanosheets. The characteristics including M-S heterojunction and hierarchical structure endows Co/Co 0.85 Se microsphere with high specific surface area, good conductivity, and synergistic effect between metal Co and Co 0.85 Se. More concretely, the optimized Co/Co 0.85 Se exhibits outstanding catalytic activity toward triiodide reduction reaction (IRR). When employed as the counter electrode (CE) catalyst for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.31 % is achieved, which is 3.36 % higher than that of Pt-control device (8.04 %). Moreover, Co/Co 0.85 Se-3 displays remarkable catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with a low overpotential of 107 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm −2 under alkaline condition (1.0 M KOH), accompanying with Tafel slope of 140 mV dec −1 . Our discovery provides an effective approach to develop the cost-effective advanced catalysts to promote the application of DSSC and HER. The hierarchical Co/Co 0.85 Se microspheres with unique Mott-Schottky structure exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the fields of DSSC and HER. • Hierarchical Co/Co 0.85 Se microsphere with M-S effect was synthesized. • Synergy between Co and Co 0.85 Se increases the catalytic activity of Co/Co 0.85 Se-3. • Performance of Co/Co 0.85 Se-3 for DSSC was higher than that of Pt. • Co/Co 0.85 Se-3 exhibited remarkable catalytic property for alkaline HERs.

A computational finding on the effect of π-conjugated acceptors in thiophene-linked coumarin dyes for potential suitability in DSSC application

Herein we studied the potential suitability of four thiophene-linked coumarin dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) application by employing density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methods. The new four dyes comprise various π-conjugated acceptor moieties, such as quinazolinone-N-acetic acid, indoline carboxylic acid, rhodanine acetic acid, and homophthalimide-N-acetic acid with dialkylamino coumarin as donor and thiophene as a common spacer. We have investigated the influence of the π-conjugated acceptor moieties in thiophene-linked coumarin dyes on the photovoltaic performance and adsorption onto the TiO2 surface. The π-conjugation in the acceptor moiety enhanced the intensity of the intramolecular charge transfer band and which has been corroborated by the natural bond orbital analysis. C3 dye showed higher charge separation (ΔqD–A) between the coumarin donor and rhodanine acetic acid acceptor moieties and which revealed a higher red-shift in the absorption spectra for C3 dye. The photophysical, electrochemical properties and photovoltaic parameters of DSSCs have been calculated to assess their suitability for the application in DSSCs. The higher dye regeneration driving force, higher lifetime, and higher power conversion efficiency values (calculated) make dye C3 the potential candidate for DSSCs among all the studied dyes.

Small Molecules Containing Amphoteric Imidazole Motifs as Sensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: An Overview.

Organic dyes, porphyrins and inorganic complexes containing imidazole (IM) motifs have been demonstrated as a new class of sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Particularly, the amphoteric nature of IM-based motifs allows them to be used as donors (D), auxiliary donors (DA), linker/branch (π), or acceptors (A) in D-π-A-based organic dyes and porphyrins and also employed as cyclometalated heteroleptic and ancillary ligands in the Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes for DSSCs. It is noteworthy that the introduction of IM chromophores in the dyes of D-π-A configuration can improve the light-harvesting properties and prohibit the charge recombination reactions due to the extension of the π-conjugated structures and hydrophobic nature. Similarly, in the case of inorganic complexes, the presence of IM motifs as ligands can improve the light-harvesting ability, give facilely tuned HOMO and LUMO energy levels, increase the charge recombination resistance and photostability. This results in enhanced photocurrent (JSC) and photovoltage (VOC) and consequently solar-to-power conversion efficiency (η) of DSSC devices based on Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes. Considering the interesting DSSC applications of IM-derived molecules, in this review, we therefore comprehensively discuss their photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties reported so far and establish their structure-activity relationship to further advance the η of DSSCs. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such a review interpreting the importance of molecules possessing IM-motifs for DSSC applications to date.