Optimization of distyryl-Bodipy chromophores for efficient panchromatic sensitization in dye sensitized solar cells

Versatility of Bodipy (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) dyes was further expanded in recent dye-sensitized solar cell applications. Here we report a series of derivatives designed to address earlier problems in Bodipy sensitized solar cells. In the best case example, an overall efficiency of a modest 2.46% was achieved, but panchromatic nature of the dyes is quite impressive. This is the best reported efficiency in liquid electrolyte solar cells with Bodipy dyes as photosensitizers.