Incident Photon-to-current Conversion Efficiency Research Articles

Comprehensive study of efficient dye-sensitized solar cells based on the binary ionic liquid electrolyte by modifying with additives and iodine

The photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is enhanced by modifying the binary room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) electrolyte with additives and iodine. The average photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.39% is achieved. Through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry scans and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) data, the working principles are analyzed. The enhancement is mainly attributed to the improvement of short circuit current which is caused by the reduction of overall internal resistance of the devices. Durability tests are measured at room temperature, and the long-term stability performance can be maintained.

Effect of Alkyl Chain Length on the Sensitizing Action of Substituted Non‐Symmetric Squaraines for p‐Type Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

AbstractThe design and the synthesis of three unsymmetrical squaraines, DS_34, DS_45, and DS_47, have been achieved for their utilization as sensitizers of screen‐printed NiO cathodes in p‐type dye‐sensitized solar cells (p‐DSCs). DS_34, DS_45, and DS_47 are bidentate dyes, each bearing two carboxylic anchoring groups, which differ solely in the length of alkyl chain attached to the nitrogen atom of the condensed pyrrole ring (ethyl, butyl, and dodecyl for DS_45, DS_34, and DS_47, respectively). The photoelectrochemical properties of the corresponding p‐DSCs are compared and analyzed in terms of the structural differences of DS_34, DS_45, and DS_47. The benchmark dye, p‐SQ2, has also been employed as a p‐DSC sensitizer for the sake of comparison. Current density−voltage (JV) curves and incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra revealed the major efficaciousness of the DS_45 as a dye‐sensitizer, as it was the only system that produced a p‐DSC surpassing 0.04 % of overall efficiency (η). This finding was attributed mainly to the larger surface concentration of chemisorbed DS_45 with respect to the other squaraines.

Aqueous dye-sensitized solar cell based on new ruthenium diphenyl carbazide complexes

The major challenge of the operation of every solar cell based on dye including water splitting solar cell (WSSC) and dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is the using organic solvent medium which causes to decompose the solar cell structure, resulting environmental impact. Here, we synthesized and characterized two new ruthenium complexes with nitrogen and oxygen donor ligands for DSSC application which show good stability on TiO2 surface in water solvent. Interestingly, the DSSC based on [Ru(dcbpy)2(DPC)]Cl, where dcbpy = 4,4-dicarboxilic acid 2,2-bipyridin and DPC = diphenylcarbazide, was shown better efficiency in water than methanol dye loading as well as N3 as a benchmark sensitizer in the same condition. The DPC-based exhibited open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.63 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 2.5 mA/cm2 and fill factor (FF) of 70%, resulting an overall power efficiency of 1.12%. The incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) value is also reached to 45% for [Ru(dcbpy)2(DPC)]Cl in the same condition It is proposed that the ruthenium complex containing nitrogen and oxygen donor ligands is more stability on TiO2 and prevent the decomposition of TiO2 porous under water solvent condition.

Enhanced photosplitting of water using ultrathin cobalt sulfide nanoflakes-sensitized zinc oxide nanorods array

We report synthesis and characterization of ultrathin cobalt sulfide nanoflakes (CoSx-NFs) sensitized zinc oxide nanorods (Z-NRs) array based thin films and their implementation as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water. Cobalt sulfide nanoflakes-sensitized zinc oxide nanorods (CoSx-NFs/Z-NRs) array based photoanodes were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by a simple and versatile electrodeposition method. Maximum conversion efficiency of PEC cell was found 0.37% with a photocurrent density of 0.48 mA/cm2 at a bias of 0.3 V/SCE in CoSx-NFs/Z-NRs-15 (loading of CoSx-NFs on Z-NRs by cyclic voltammetry for 15 cycles) based photoanodes. The photo-activity is 2.7 times larger than that of Z-NRs array-based photoanode. Experimental results reveal that sensitization by CoSx-NFs causes red shift in the band gap energy of Z-NRs photoanode. Lower band gap energy, suitable band redox potential, and marked absorption in visible light make CoSx-NFs/Z-NRs-15 thin films a promising material for photoanodes in PEC cells. A detailed analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible (UV-Visible) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive analysis (EDX), electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Mott-Schottky (MS) analysis, applied bias photon-to-current conversion efficiency (ABPE), and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements has been carried out to substantiate our observations. The excellent performance of CoSx-NFs/Z-NRs allows the composite photoelectrode to have many potential applications as a photoanode material for H2 production, nanoflakes-sensitized solar cells, and UV photodetector.

Role of S, N co-doped graphene quantum dots as a green photosensitizer with Ag-doped ZnO nanorods for improved electrochemical solar energy conversion

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of Ag doped ZnO nanorods (Ag-ZnO NRs) have been studied in details. Ag-ZnO NRs photoanodes demonstrated superior photoconversion efficiency (i.e. photon to hydrogen), photoresponse properties, incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), compared to pristine ZnO nanorods. S and N co-doped graphene quantum dots (S,N-GQDs) were synthesized by hydrothermal process and utilized as a green photosensitizer for further improvement of photoelectrochemical activities. S,N-GQD sensitized nanorods showed photoconversion efficiency (η) ∼1.1%, and short circuit photocurrent (JSC) ∼0.96mA/cm2, which are 3.4 times and 2.7 times higher than ZnO NRs. Sensitization with S,N-GQDs also improved the IPCE value and attained maximum 62.8% at 350nm, which is 2.2 times higher compared to ZnO NRs.

Model Study for Photoelectrochemical Methylcyclohexane Production from Toluene and Water Using SrTiO3 Photoanodes

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogenation of toluene (TL) accompanied with oxidation of water has been reported to produce methylcyclohexane (MCH) as one of the promising hydrogen carriers.1 In the previous report, the overall PEC MCH production without an external bias voltage has been achieved by using the PEC cell consisting of single crystalline Nb-doped SrTiO3 (Nb:STO) photoanode and Pt-loaded carbon black (Pt/C)-based membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) cathode. However, the incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the Nb:STO photoanodes used in this prior work was unfortunately quite low: only 3.5% under 350 nm light at 0.5 VRHE, and thus the further enhancement of quantum efficiencies of this reaction is one of the necessary challenges. Furthermore, past studies focused only on the PEC conversion of pure TL to generate dilute MCH. To establish this PEC MCH production reaction as a practical and industrial artificial photosynthesis system, direct production of MCH up to nearly 100% of concentration is indispensable in order to avoid additional purification process. In this study, the model PEC cell consisting of particulate 1%Al-doped SrTiO3 (Al:STO) photoanode2 and Pt/C MEA cathode was carefully investigated to: 1) improve IPCE of this reaction; and 2) evaluate the feasibility of direct PEC production of the concentrated MCH. When the pure TL and 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte with pH 13 were applied as an organic and aqueous reactant, respectively, the present PEC cell consisting of Al:STO photoanode and Pt/C MEA cathode successfully performed the spontaneous MCH production without an external bias voltage under irradiation of 300 W Xe lamp. It should be noted that the faradaic efficiencies (FE) for the MCH production from pure TL was confirmed to be almost 100% and that the IPCE of this PEC cell was measured to be 18% at 320 nm light without an external bias voltage, which is significantly greater than that of the reported case with Nb:STO photoanode.1 This is because that the present photoanodes prepared from Al:STO particles by the particle transfer method3 possess the advantageous structural features for PEC water oxidation. To evaluate the feasibility of the present PEC cell for direct production of the concentrated MCH, the PEC MCH production from the dilute TL, 0.05—1vol% TL in MCH, with various pH values of aqueous phase were also examined. It was revealed that even in the case of hydrogenating dilute TL, 1vol% in MCH, the PEC cell with the pH 13 NaOH aqueous electrolyte showed a sufficient FE of >94%. This experimental result indicates that the present PEC cell is capable of producing the concentrated MCH with >99%. In addition, when applying further dilute TL, 0.05vol% in MCH, the PEC system with pH 13 NaOH showed an FE of almost 50%, while that with pH 9.9 and 7.5 Na2SO4 showed lower FE of approximately 35%. Since the FE is roughly confirmed to be decreased by the competitive HER at the Pt/C, the present experimental observations imply that strong alkaline conditions should contribute to a suppression of the undesirable side reaction. Thus, we can conclude that the utilization of an anion exchange membrane in conjunction with a high pH aqueous phase is beneficial for converting the dilute reactant to the required product in sufficient concentration. Finally, the concentrated MCH production under intermittent light irradiation was also examined in order to understand the effects of reactant diffusion process on the FE. The FE for concentrated MCH production from 0.05vol% TL in MCH and pH13 NaOH aqueous electrolyte was as high as 83% under this light irradiation condition. This obvious enhancement of FE by the intermittent irradiation indicates the significance of diffusion process of TL, especially in the case of using dilute reactants. Therefore, there is still room to enhance the FE for concentrated MCH production from dilute TL by facilitating the supply of the reactant, TL, to the active sites.

Designing Squaraines to Control Charge Injection and Recombination Processes in NiO-based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Herein, the synthesis of a new family of squaraines (SQs) and their application in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is presented. In particular, two sets of SQs were designed featuring either two or four anchoring carboxylic groups combined with either oxygen or dicyanovinyl central groups. The SQs were characterized by using a joint theoretical, photophysical, and electrochemical approach. Importantly, the presence of different central groups forces a frozen cis (dicyanovinyl group) or a trans (oxygen group) SQ conformation. Based on the latter, the current work enables a direct comparison between cis and trans isomers as well as the impact of a different number of anchors. Considering their electron-accepting and light-harvesting character, they were tested in NiO-based DSSCs. Photocurrent-voltage, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed. By virtue of their different symmetry, stereochemistry, and number of carboxylic groups, altered adsorption behavior onto NiO electrodes as well as diverse charge injection and charge recombination dynamics were noted under operation conditions. SQs with four linkers in a frozen cis isomerism show the best charge collection properties among the investigated SQs, providing a valuable guideline for the molecular design of future SQs for p-type DSSCs. In addition, we assembled tandem DSSCs featuring SQ/NiO photocathodes and N719/TiO2 photoanodes. The IPCE of the resulting tandem DSSCs implies light harvesting throughout most of the visible part of the solar spectrum owing to the complementary absorption features of SQ and N719.

S-C3N4 Quantum Dot Decorated ZnO Nanorods to Improve Their Photoelectrochemical Performance

S-doped C3N4 quantum dots (SCNQDs) were synthesized successfully by a low-temperature solid-phase method. The as-synthesised SCNQDs were decorated on ZnO nanorods by a dipping method. The ZnO nanorod films were prepared through a two-stage method, including pulse electrodeposition for depositing ZnO seed layer on fluorine doping SnO2 glass (FTO) and chemical bath for growing ZnO nanorods on the ZnO seed layer. The prepared samples were characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photoelectrochemical performances of the prepared samples were estimated using linear sweep voltammograms, electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), Mott–Schottky, transient photocurrent and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE). The results show that the light absorption edge of the prepared SCNQDs increases from 326[Formula: see text]nm (CNQDs) to 349[Formula: see text]nm after S doping. The CNQD decorated ZnO photoanode film exhibits 1.34 times as high photocurrent as bare ZnO photoanode film. Importantly, the photocurrent increased to 1.79 times than bare ZnO photoanode film by S doping at 1.0[Formula: see text]V (versus Ag/AgCl), which is attributed to a wider light absorption of SCNQDs and a better efficiency of electron transfer in the interface between SCNQDs and ZnO.

Control of interfacial charge-transfer interaction of dye and p-CuI in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

We systematically investigated the photovoltaic and absorption characteristics of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with CuI to elucidate the impact of the interaction between the dye and CuI. For the ruthenium complex N719, the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) on the longer-wavelength side decreased owing to the change of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (CT) of N719 due to the interaction between the thiocyanate groups of N719 and CuI. In contrast, when D149 — which included rhodanine groups — was used, the interaction with CuI and the resultant CT increased the IPCE. The results provide a new strategy for improving the photovoltaic performance by controlling the interfacial CT between the dye and CuI.

Superior photoelectrochemical properties of ZnO nanorods/poly(3-hexylthiophene) hybrid photoanodes

Photoelectrochemical properties of ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer hybrid photoanodes have been studied. The hybrid photoanodes demonstrated higher photoconversion efficiency, incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) and lower interfacial resistance compared to pristine ZnO nanorods and P3HT based electrodes. The origin of superior photoelectrochemical properties of ZnO/P3HT photoanodes has been explained using carrier transport mechanism at semiconductor/electrolyte junction. The stability of ZnO NRs/P3HT photoanode has been demonstrated.

Effects of donors of bodipy dyes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

A new series of donor-acceptor-π-linker-acceptor (D–A–π–A) featured organic dyes containing Bodipy derivative as the auxiliary acceptor, furan unit as the π conjugated spacer, and 2-cyanoacrylic acid as the anchor group were synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The incorporated electron-withdrawing unit of Bodipy enhances light harvesting by decreasing the molecular energy gap and red-shifting absorption spectra. For comparison, three different arylamine chromophores namely 3-methoxy-9H-carbazole (CBZ-B), triphenylamine (TPA-B) and phenoxazine (POZ-B) were separately appended onto the 6-position of Bodipy unit to study the effect of the electron donating groups on device performance. The UV–vis absorption spectra, electrochemical properties, density functional theory calculation, photovoltaic properties and electrochemical impedance measurements of DSSCs with these three dyes were systematically investigated. The Bodipy dyes have broad absorption spectra covering the range of 250–700 nm with the highest molar extinction coefficient up to >55 000 M−1 cm−1. The molecular energy level tuning can be conveniently accomplished by alternating the donor moiety. The DSSCs based on TPA-B showed the best photovoltaic performance: a maximum monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 70%, a short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 13.95 mA cm−2, an open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) of 557 mV, and a fill factor (ff) of 0.61, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 4.76% under standard global AM 1.5G solar light conditions. Our research demonstrates that Bodipy based D–A–π–A molecular architecture is a highly promising class for the improvement of the performance of DSSCs in the future.

Panchromatic Sensitizer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Unsymmetrical Squaraine Dyes Incorporating Benzodithiophene π-Spacer with Alkyl Chains to Extend Conjugation, Control the Dye Assembly on TiO2, and Retard Charge Recombination.

Metal-free near-infrared (NIR) active unsymmetrical squaraine dyes, RSQ1 and RSQ2, with benzodithiophene (BDT) π-spacer and cyanoacrylic acid acceptor were synthesized by utilizing palladium catalyzed direct (hetero)arylation reaction. Methyl and 2-ethylhexyl groups were strategically placed at the BDT unit for RSQ1 and RSQ2, respectively, to investigate the effect of alkylated π-spacer on dye aggregation on the TiO2 surface and recombination reactions at TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface. These dyes have strong absorption (ε > 105 M-1 cm-1) in near-infrared (NIR) region and exhibit similar optical and electrochemical properties as they have same conjugated framework. RSQ2 performed better than RSQ1 owing to its higher open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (ff) in spite of having comparable short-circuit current density (Jsc). The panchromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) response was also observed for both the dyes. RSQ2 showed power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.72% with short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 18.53 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.538 V, and fill factor (ff) of 67.4%, without any coadsorbent. Attenuation of the charge recombination for RSQ2 was revealed by electrochemical impedance analysis (EIS) and open-circuit potential decay transients (OCVD), which attributes to its higher Voc and ff in comparison to RSQ1.

Exfoliated molybdenum disulfide for dye sensitized solar cells

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a layered material with promising photo-electroactive properties with possible application in solar cell devices. In this work, exfoliated MoS2 (E-MoS2) was produced using a chemical intercalation and exfoliation process. After an exhaustive characterization of the material, two different solar cell arrays were studied for the photoanode using the synthetized exfoliated MoS2, as sensitizer and thin film. Normalized incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency and electrochemical impedance spectra were generated to further understand the photocurrent and electron transition behavior in the dye sensitized solar cell array. An increase in normalized incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) for E-MoS2/TiO2 hybrids and layered films was observed when compared to TiO2. The results provide evidence of device enhancement after using exfoliated MoS2 by increasing photocurrent efficiencies and lowering charge transfer resistance.

Synthesis of Concentrated Methylcyclohexane as Hydrogen Carrier through Photoelectrochemical Conversion of Toluene and Water.

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell consisting of a Pt-loaded carbon black (Pt/C)-based membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and a particulate SrTiO3 photoanode effected selective PEC conversion of toluene and water into methylcyclohexane (MCH) at concentrations up to >99 vol %. This cell exhibited 100 % faradaic efficiency (FE) and 18 % incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) at 320 nm without an external bias voltage in the PEC hydrogenation of pure toluene. It was also found that strong alkaline conditions are beneficial with the present MEA to suppress the competitive side reaction of hydrogen evolution, resulting in a high FE of 94 % even during MCH production from 1 vol % toluene in MCH. This study successfully demonstrated that the present PEC system is capable of producing concentrated MCH as a promising hydrogen carrier and that MCH production from toluene and water represents a means of artificial photosynthesis.

Atomically Precise Noble Metal Clusters Harvest Visible Light to Produce Energy

AbstractAtomically precise gold and silver clusters are a new class of sensitizers which can be used as substitutes for dyes in the classical dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Here noble metal clusters protected by proteins and thiols (Au30@BSA, Au25SBB18, and Ag44MBA30) have been used for photovoltaic studies. These metal clusters were used as sensitizers for the photoanodes fabricated using TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) and the commercial P25 TiO2 nanoparticles. The TiO2, clusters and the solar cells were characterized by spectroscopy, microscopy, current‐voltage (I‐V) and incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements. A systematic I‐V study revealed a conversion efficiency of 0.35 % for the Au30@BSA sensitized solar cell made from TiO2 NTs which showed an IPCE maximum of 3 % at ∼ 400 nm.

Structural Effects on the Incident Photon-to-Current Conversion Efficiency of Zn Porphyrin Dyes on the Low-Index Planes of TiO2.

The structural effects of substrates on the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of Zn porphyrin (ZnP) dyes (ZnP-ref, YD2, and ZnPBAT) have been studied on well-defined single-crystal surfaces of rutile TiO2 (TiO2(111), TiO2(100), and TiO2(110)). IPCE of ZnP-ref depends on the structure of the substrates remarkably: TiO2(100) < TiO2(110) < TiO2(111). IPCE of ZnP-ref/TiO2(111) is 13 times as high as that of ZnP-ref/TiO2(100) at 570 nm. YD2 and ZnPBAT also give the highest IPCE on TiO2(111). The relative coverages of the porphyrin dyes give the following order: TiO2(111) < TiO2(110) < TiO2(100). This order is opposite to that of IPCEs. The orientation of the dyes is predicted using density functional theory calculations on simplified models of TiO2 surfaces. The highest IPCE on TiO2(111) is attributed to the high rate of electron transfer through the space due to the fluctuation of the tilt angle of the adsorbed dyes.

TiCl4 surface-treated SnO2 photoanodes for self-powered UV photodetectors and dye-sensitized solar cells

TiCl4 surface-treated SnO2 nanocrystal films were applied as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical self-powered UV photodetectors (UVPDs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DCSs). It is found that the TiCl4-treated SnO2-based UVPD shows a higher photocurrent density (J) and open-circuit voltage (Voc) compared to the pure SnO2-based UVPD. The TiCl4-treated SnO2-based UVPD has a high on/off ratio of 6475, rapid response (0·009 s for rise time and 0·006 s for decay time), excellent spectral selectivity and linear optical signal response under UV light irradiance. In addition, the TiCl4-treated SnO2-based DSC with the ruthenium-based C106 dye also exhibits a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than that of the SnO2-based DSC. The effect of TiCl4 treatment on the performance of UVPDs and DSCs was investigated in detail by the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), UV–vis absorption, electrochemical impedance, flat-band potential (VFB) and transient photoelectric decay measurements.

Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells with TiO2 Scaffold in Perovskite Film

TiO2 nanoparticle is employed as mesoporous scaffold under low temperature in methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite layer for planar heterojunction solar cells (PH PSCs). It has been found that the high quality perovskite crystalline is obtained by adding TiO2 nanoparticles into perovskite layer. The incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) has been significantly improved due to the enhanced light scattering of TiO2 nanoparticles and efficient electron transport in perovskite layer. Specially, interconnected TiO2 nanoparticles improves the electron transport property, leading to reducing hysteresis and obtaining the much higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) (12.96%) with Voc=0.99V,Jsc=22.9mA/cm2 and FF=0.562. This fabrication method is promising for flexible PH PSCs application and reducing the preparation cost.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical response of plasmonic Au embedded BiVO4/Fe2O3 heterojunction.

The effect of embedding Au nanoparticles (NPs) in a BiVO4/Fe2O3 heterojunction for photoelectrochemical water splitting is studied here for the first time. The present nanostructured heterojunction offers three major advantages over pristine BiVO4 and Fe2O3: (i) the formation of a heterojunction between BiVO4 and Fe2O3 enhances the charge carrier separation and transfer, (ii) the layer of Fe2O3 provides protection to BiVO4 from photocorrosion and, (iii) the Au NPs possessing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) enhance the photoelectrochemical response by transferring energy to metal oxides by hot electron transfer (HET) and plasmon resonant energy transfer (PRET). The present study reveals that the heterojunction ITO/BiVO4/Fe2O3 (with 32% v/v Au solution in both layers) gives the best performance and mitigates the limitations of both pristine Fe2O3 and BiVO4. A thirteen-fold increment in applied bias photon-to-current conversion efficiency (ABPE) was observed at 1.24 V vs. RHE under the condition of 1 Sun illumination. Monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements indicated that an Au embedded heterojunction is more effective in harvesting visible light in comparison to a heterojunction without Au NPs.

Synthesis and photovoltaic characterization of triarylamine-substituted quinoxaline push--pull dyes to improve the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Novel unsymmetrical organic sensitizers having donor, $\pi $-spacer, and anchoring groups were designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application. The dyes 3-{4-[7-(4-{bis[4-(hexyl)phenyl]amino} phenyl)-11,12-dibutoxy-1,4,5,8-tetrahydrodibenzo [a, c] phenazine-2-yl]phenyl} -2-cyano acrylic acid (KD-148) and 3-{5-[7-(4-{bis[4-(hexyloxy)phenyl]amino} phenyl)-11,12-dibutoxy-1,4,5,8-tetrahydrodibenzo [a, c] phenazine-2-yl]-2-thienyl} -2-cyano acrylic acid (KD-150) were anchored onto TiO$_{2}$ and tested with ionic liquid electrolyte. The monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) of the dyes were 50% and 60% at 420 nm, respectively. The KD-150-sensitized solar cell gave a short-circuit current (I$_{SC})$ of 7.37 mA/cm$^{2}$, an open-circuit voltage (V$_{oc})$ of 560 mV, a fill factor (FF) of 0.56, and overall conversion efficiency ($\eta )$ of 2.32% whereas the standard dye Z-907 dye exhibited 14.51 mA/cm$^{2}$ of I$_{SC}$, 630 mV of V$_{oc}$, 0.45 of FF, and 4.08% of $\eta $ under AM 1.5 illumination with power of 100 mW/cm$^{2}$.