A simple access to ``Black-Dye'' analogs with good efficiencies in dye-sensitized solar cells

We report in this paper the synthesis of four new ruthenium sensitizers bearing various dicarboxy terpyridine ligands. Terpyridine ligands were prepared by a simple and efficient pathway. These `Black-Dye' analogs were studied by cyclic voltammetry, UV visible absorption and emission spectroscopy. Photosensitization ability in dye-sensitized solar cells devices was also investigated. Efficiencies obtained with these new dyes ranged between 4.88 and 5.57% and were close to that we obtained using the ``Black-Dye'' reference. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.