Investigation of the structure and opto-electronic properties of substituted 2, 2'-bithiophenes as pi-building blocks: a joint experimental and theoretical study

We present the design and the synthesis of substituted 2,2?-bithiophene derivatives to be used as ?-conjugated bridges in donor-?-acceptor molecules for dye sensitized solar cells. Using a combined theoretical and experimental approach, the photophysical and electrochemical properties of these linkers are also presented. Finally, we show that the photophysical properties (absorption/emission) of these molecules are preserved when doped in host matrices.