Two　novel　push–pull　type　Zn(II)　porphyrin　dyes　(QX09　and　QX10)　have　been　synthesized　for　dye-sensitized　solar　cells　(DSSCs).　The　two　porphyrin　dyes　consist　of　the　same　porphyrin　core　with　a　triindole　unit　directly　attached　in　its　meso-position　and　different　acceptor/anchoring　groups　carboxylic　acid　(for　QX09)　and　cyanoacylic　acid　(for　QX10)　have　been　investigated.　The　photophysical,　electrochemical　and　theoretical　studies　indicated　that　the　two　porphyrin　dyes　were　both　suitable　as　the　photosensitizers.　The　dye　QX10　exhibited　a　broader　absorption　region　and　significantly　improved　IPCE　values　compared　with　QX09,　which　ensured　a　better　light-harvesting　ability　and　a　higher　photocurrent.　With　the　coadsorption　of　chenodeoxycholic　acid　(CDCA),　the　DSSCs　based　on　the　two　dyes　both　obtained　improved　photovoltaic　performances.　Finally,　QX10-based　cell　with　CDCA　achieved　a　high　power　conversion　efficiency　of　6.65%　under　AM　1.5G　irradiation.　©　2016　Elsevier　Ltd