N-Heterotriangulene chromophores with 4-pyridyl anchors for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

A series of dimethylmethylene-bridged N-heterotriangulenes decorated with one, two, and three electron-withdrawing 4-pyridyls were synthesized. Their photophysical and electrochemical characteristics were examined and their successful application in n-type TiO2- and ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cells demonstrated the ability of the 4-pyridyl moiety to act as an anchor.