New D-π-A-conjugated organic sensitizers based on α-pyranylidene donors for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract : A series of new push-pull org. dyes incorporating a cyanoacrylic acid group as electron acceptor unit and α-chalcogenopyranylidene group (X = S; O) as electron donor unit has been synthesized, characterized and used as sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For the first time, α-pyranylidene and thiopyranylidene groups, have been evaluated in DSSC. To obtain the thermodn. values of the solar cell, an investigation of their electrochem. (CV) and optical properties (UV-vis absorption spectroscopy) is also reported.