Synthesis and characterization of organic 2-(cyano 3-(4-diphenylamino) phenyl) prop 2-enoic acid dye for electrochemical cell applications

Phenyl-conjugated Oligoene dye 2-(Cyano 3-(4-diphenylamino) phenyl) prop 2-enoic acid was synthesized by chemical method. The structure of the synthesized dye was confirmed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectrum. From the UV-Visible NIR spectrum the absorption maximum (λmax) was analyzed and from the λmax value the molar extinction coefficient was calculated. From the cyclic-voltammograms the details about the reversibility of electron transfer processes is obtained. Cathodic and anodic redox potentials were used to determine the HOMO-LUMO values. The cyclic voltammetry of the dye was taken using Ag/AgCl as reference electrode, glassy carbon as working electrode and platinum (Pt) as counter electrode with the scan rate 100 mVs-1 and the used temperature is 20°C. The DSSC was made using commercial P25 TiO₂ material as photoanode, 2-cyano 3-(4-diphenylaminophenyl) prop 2-enoic acid dye as sensitizer, I-/I3- as electrolyte and Platinum (Pt) used as counter electrode. The solar cell efficiency of the synthesized dye is 1.7 % with Voc=0.67 V, Jsc=4.6 mA/m² and fill factor (FF) =56 %.