The perylene polyimide containing donor-acceptor unit was designed, synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-visible spectrum, gel permeation chromatograph, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectrum, and thermogravimetry. The photovoltaic cell composed of polyimide used as dye sensitizer of TiO₂ was prepared and its properties were tested. The polymer is noncrystalline determined by wide angle X-ray diffraction spectrum. Calculated from electron absorption spectrum, the energy of band is 2.16 eV. The electron affinity potential (E_a) (E_LUMO) and ionic potential (IP) (－E_HOMO) are －3.97 and 6.13 eV respectively deduced by the cyclic voltammetry. The energy level of polymer matched the level of TiO₂, which has good sensitization effect to TiO₂. The overall power conversion efficiency η of the photovoltaic cell is 0.0135%.

Key words: perylene polyimide, photovoltaic cell, sensitizer