Comparative study of TiO2 and ZnO photoanodes in DSSCs sensitized with novel synthesized carbazole (D-A) Based Photosensitizers
Physica B: Condensed Matter, vol.731, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 731
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.physb.2026.418474
- Journal Name: Physica B: Condensed Matter
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC
- Keywords: Acceptor groups, Carbazole-based organic dye, DSSC, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, TiO2, ZnO
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
In this study, two donor–acceptor type carbazole-based organic dyes, MG2 and MG4, were synthesized via Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The molecular structures of the synthesized compounds were investigated using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, while their photophysical properties were studied using UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. The vacuum-referenced energy level analysis was performed based on the HOMO and LUMO energy levels obtained from DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The dyes were employed as sensitizers in DSSCs fabricated with TiO2 and ZnO photoanodes to evaluate the effects of molecular substitution and semiconductor type on device performance. UV–Vis absorption spectra of un-sensitized and dye-sensitized TiO2 and ZnO photoanodes revealed a significant increase in optical absorption of both photoanodes. The EIS measurements were performed to investigate electron transport, interfacial charge transfer, and recombination processes in ZnO- and TiO2-DSSCs. The Photovoltaic measurements revealed that ZnO-DSSCs exhibited better performance compared to TiO2-DSSCs devices.