A new class of organic dyes based on acenaphthopyrazine derivatives, containing pyrazine group as the electron acceptor and o-dicarboxyl acids as the anchoring groups were designed and synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). These dyes have short synthesis routes and are easily adsorbed on the surface of TiO2. Under illumination of simulated AM1. 5 solar light (100mWcm− 2), a total solar energy conversion ...