ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis, theoretical and photovoltaic investigation of two 1,10-phenanthroline-based D–π–A organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Buse Ozsan, Seyda Aydogdu, Arzu Hatipoglu, and Ibrahim Erden

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, İstanbul, Turkey

E-mail: buse.ozsan@std.yildiz.edu.tr

Received: 16 November 2025  Accepted: 17 February 2026

Abstract:

In this study, two metal-free organic dyes (B1 and B3) with a D–π–A architecture were synthesized and investigated for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. The dyes featured triphenylamine as electron donor, an imidazole π-bridge, and 1,10-phenanthroline as anchoring unit. Notably, B3 incorporated multiple anchoring units, enabling direct comparison with single-anchor B1. Structural characterization was conducted using FT-IR, NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, and electrochemical measurements. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that B3 has a smaller HOMO–LUMO gap and greater charge localization at the anchor, implying more efficient electron injection. Device testing confirmed B3’s superior performance, as DSSCs with B3 reached 0.61% power conversion efficiency compared to 0.28% for B1, highlighting a clear benefit of the multi-anchor design. While overall efficiencies remain modest, these findings demonstrate the significance of anchor group configuration in 1,10-phenanthroline-based DSSC sensitizers.

Keywords: 1,10-phenanthroline; Dye sensitized solar cell; Photovoltaic applications; Organic dyes

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04746-0

Chemical Papers 80 (6) 6013–6023 (2026)