Near-infrared sensitization of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with a squaraine dye

Here, we report the use of a squaraine-based dye, JD10, as a near-infrared sensitizer for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSCs). Using spiro-MeOTAD as a hole-transport material, JD10 gave the highest reported power conversion efficiencies (PCE), 3.16% for squaraine-based ssDSCs. The photocurrent was further enhanced by co-sensitization with the organic D-pi-A dye D35, increasing the light harvested leading to a PCE to 4.42%. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4707374]