D-π-A organic dyes based on thiophene and selenophene for dye-sensitized solar cells: Unveiling the effect of selenophene on photovoltaic performance

In this study, we synthesized two metal-free organic dyes with a D-π-A configuration, namely F2PA-T and F2PA-Se, and assessed their photovoltaic performance under various lighting conditions, including standard one-sun illumination as well as indoor light scenarios (LED 3200K, LED 5600 K, and CCFL). Our finding demonstrate that substituting thiophene with selenophene in the dye structure markedly improves device performance, evidenced by the increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) and current density (JSC) in F2PA-Se sensitized solar cells. We comprehensively investigate the spectroscopic, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties to ascertain their effectiveness as photosensitizers in highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), particularly for applications in low-light conditions.