KuQuinones as sensitizers of NiO based p-type dye-sensitized solar cells
A new series of KuQuinones (KuQs) have been synthesized and employed as dye-sensitizers for NiO-based p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs). KuQs are pentacyclic quinoid compounds which are characterized by a fully conjugated structure that is responsible for the strong and broad absorption in the visible spectrum. The HOMO/LUMO states of KuQs considered here have matching energy levels with the upper edge of the NiO valence band and I?/I3 ? redox potential energy. These features render such compounds suitable for NiO sensitization in p-DSSCs.