Adamantyl Side Chains as Anti‐Aggregating Moieties in Dyes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Designing and evaluating novel dye concepts is crucial for the development of the field of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In our recent report, the novel concept of tethering the anti‐aggregation additive chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to dyes for DSSC was introduced. Based on the performance improvements seen for this modification, the aim of this study is to see if a simplified anti‐aggregation unit could achieve similar results. The following study reports the synthesis and photovoltaic characterization of two novel dyes decorated with the steric ethyladamantyl moiety on the π‐spacer, and on the triarylamine donor. This modification is demonstrated to be successful in increasing the photovoltages in devices employing copper‐based electrolytes compared to the non‐modified reference dye. The best photovoltaic performance is achieved by a device prepared with the adamantyl decorated donor dye and CDCA, this device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.1 % (Short‐circuit current=8.3 mA cm(−2), Open‐circuit voltage=1054 mV, Fill factor=0.69). The improved photovoltaic performance seen for the adamantyl decorated donor demonstrate the potential of ethyladamantyl side chains as a tool to ensure surface protection of TiO(2).