Aqueous electrolyte based dye-sensitized solar cells using organic sensitizers

Two novel organic sensitizers containing a 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl unit are designed and synthesized. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar conditions, the JK-262 sensitized cell in conjunction with an aqueous electrolyte gave a short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 3.78 mA cm−2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.68 V, and a fill factor of 0.82, affording an overall conversion efficiency (η) of 2.10%. The η of JK-262 is higher than that of JK-259 due to the larger Jsc. The improved Jsc value is attributable to the broad and red-shifted absorption band as well as the dense packing of JK-262 on the TiO2 film.