Diverse fused thiophenes with electron-rich and electron-deficient blocks have been synthesized and employed as the π-conjugated spacers of organic dyes for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effects of these fused thiophenes were investigated by their absorption spectra, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties. For a typical device a maximum power conversion efficiency of 6.11% was obtained under simulated AM 1.5 irradiation (100mWcm −2 ): a short-circuit current (J SC ) of 14.47mAcm −2 , an open-circuit voltage (V OC ) of 670mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.63.