Synthesis, photophysical properties and DFT studies of N-aryl-2-cyano-3-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)acrylamides for DSSCs

Herein, we report develop, synthesis of new co-sensitizers of D-π-A architectured design containing triphenylamine core  as an efficient donor attached to acrylamide moiety as an anchoring group and studies the ability of the novel co-sensitizers in the application of DSSC. From their UV-vis absorption spectra all the dyes AR1-3 were red-shifted with maximum molar extinction co-efficient compared to standard TPA dye, which can be attributed to extended conjugation within the molecular structure. AR-3 displayed the maximum molar extinction co-efficient of 9.29 x 10^-5 M due to the favorable charge transfer between the donor and acceptor. Moreover, DFT / TD-DFT studies were performed for the dyes AR1-3 and were in a good agreement with the experimental data. Finally, theoretical calculation confirmed the ability of new dyes as co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC).