A new type of donor–acceptor dye bridged by the bidentate moiety; metal ion complexation enhancing DSSC performance

Abstract

The bidentate 2,2′-bithiazole moiety was strategically designed as the bridging unit for the new donor–acceptor dye, Alko1. Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) made by Alkol bound with various metal ions have been examined. Upon complexing with ZnI₂, the Zn(II)–Alko1 complex on TiO₂ achieved both higher molar absorptivity and a red-shifted absorption peak, increasing the performance of DSSCs by ∼23% (cf. metal ion free Alko1).