Synthesis, spectral, electrochemical properties, and photovoltaic performance of structurally constrained BODIPY dyes with 4,4-dimethyltriphenylamine at the 2,6-positions

Novel symmetrical D–A–D type of BODIPY derivatives (DTPA–BDP) were synthesized successfully. The introduction of chromophoric units makes the molecule absorption wavelengths spanning the ranges of 300–800 nm and shifts the emission to 793 nm in red and near-infrared region. Bulk heterojunction solar cells with DTPA–BDPs as electron donor and PC61BM as electron acceptor exhibited photovoltaic properties with a power conversion efficiency of 0.77%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.70 V.