Dye Photosensitizers and Their Influence on DSSC Efficiency: A Review

Abstract

Since early 1990s dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has been developed by many research groups all over the World. This paper presents a review of researches focusing on photosensitizer influence on DSSC efficiency. Variety of dye substance has been analyzed. The highest efficiency around 11.2% has been noted for ruthenium-based DSSC devices. Natural dyes allowed to reach 4.6%. The most metal-free organic dyes resulted in efficiency ranged from 5% to 9%, however, some of them (e.g. Y123) allowed to obtain devices with efficiencies equal to 10.3%. Co-sensitization is the new approach which results in efficiencies up to 14.3%.

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on Fe N-heterocyclic carbene photosensitizers with improved rod-like push-pull functionality

“…The disadvantages of Ru-based PSs are the cost of Ru and its scarcity, the low extinction coefficient, the restricted near-infrared absorption, 22 instability in water 25,28 and photo-instability. 29,30 Since the efficiencies of DSSCs have not yet approached the theoretical limit and are not competitive with the more expensive silicon-based solar cells, their main advantage of cost-effectiveness depends on the utilization of cheap and readily available PSs.…”

“… 29,30 Since the efficiencies of DSSCs have not yet approached the theoretical limit and are not competitive with the more expensive silicon-based solar cells, their main advantage of cost-effectiveness depends on the utilization of cheap and readily available PSs. 25 Hence, alternatives to ruthenium based dyes for DSSCs have been sought resulting in organometallic Perovskite quantum dots, 31 Zn-porphyrins, 32 organic materials 33 and Cu( i ) polypyridine complexes 34,35 as PSs; yielding a record PCE to this date of 14.3% from an organic PS. 36 …”

Determination of the Optical Band gap Energy from the Extraction and Evaporation of Anthocyanin Compound Sea Lettuce (Ulva Lactuca L.) Using Tauc Plot Method

“…Senyawa antosianin lebih efektif digunakan sebagai bahan dasar DSSC karena terdapat muatan positif dalam struktur cincin pusat antosianin serta memiliki pita serapan dengan rentang panjang gelombang yang lebar pada daerah spektrum UV-Vis sebagai akibat dari transisi transfer elektron [4]. Keuntungan dari penggunaan senyawa antosianin pada DSSC adalah adanya gugus hidroksil (-OH) dan gugus karbonil (C=O) [5] dalam struktur molekulnya, sehingga memungkinkan terbentuknya ikatan yang kuat dengan permukaan semikonduktor TiO2 [6].…”

Unlocking the potential of anthocyanin-based dye-sensitized solar cells: Strategies for enhancing efficiency, stability, and economic viability

“…Earlier investigations have documented that DSSCs employing natural dyes such as anthocyanins have displayed conversion efficiencies in the range of 0.01% to 2.6% (Shalini et al, 2015;Teja et al, 2022). These efficiencies are comparatively lower when compared to metal complexes and organic dyes, which are frequently utilized in DSSCs and have achieved efficiencies ranging from 8% to 12% (Chen et al, 2019;Kakiage et al, 2015;Krawczak, 2019;Yamaguchi et al, 2010). The lower efficiencies of natural dye-based DSSCs can be attributed to the low molar extinction coefficients of natural dyes, resulting in reduced light absorption and photocurrent generation.…”