Strategies to Improve the Photochromic Properties and Photovoltaic Performances of Naphthopyran Dyes in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Semi-transparent solar cells are emerging as promising devices for building integrated photovoltaics. However, regardless of the technology considered, optical transmission semi-transparent is fixed during fabrication process, and hence, cannot adjust to variations in daylight or weather conditions. This becomes an issue when applications such photovoltaic windows envisioned. Previously, it has been reported that use photochromic naphthopyran dyes dye-sensitized (DSSC) allows capable modulating their light energy production depending on intensity. Herein, a series with identical pi-conjugated backbone varying alkyl substituents reported. Using this molecular engineering strategy, control discoloration kinetics reduction undesirable recombination processes utilised demonstrated. The clear photochromic-photovoltaic structure-property relationships these new photosensitizers established they shown demonstrate improved performances responses DSSC notably faster than previously For first time molecules, co-sensitization electrodes explored highest power conversion efficiency reported, reaching up 4.34% under standard