Electrochemical Engineering in the Core of the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are classed in the category of thin-film solar cells, which have been under thorough investigation during the last thirty years thanks to their low price, easy fabrication procedure, low toxicity and ease of generation. Even now, there are great efforts to substitute the present DSSC materials because of their elevated price, less abundance, and long-term stability. The performance of present DSSCs attains 12%, employing Ru(II) dyes via regulating material and structural features, which remains less than the performance given by first-and second-generation solar cells, i.e., other thin-film solar cells and Si-based solar cells which provide ~20% -30% performance. This work focuses on the main findings of Sharma et al.[1] which presented an in-depth review on DSSC fabrication, running principle, fundamental issues (low efficiency, low scalability, and low stability), prospective efficient materials, and finally a brief insight to commercialization.

Advances in Smart Photovoltaic Textiles

“…In recent years, DSSCs have emerged as potential competitors to Si-based SCs due to their easy and solution-based fabrication process and their cost efficiency. The history of DSSCs began in 1960 when it was discovered that illuminated organic dyes could be used as an electrochemical system to generate electricity. , In 1972, scientists successfully developed the chlorophyll-sensitized zinc oxide (ZnO) electrode for electricity generation by injecting excited dye molecules into a semiconducting material. , DSSCs have recently emerged as a promising technology due to their potential for achieving high PCE combined with low production costs and a straightforward fabrication process . Additionally, DSSCs are compatible with flexible and wearable substrates, making them highly versatile in various applications.…”

“…The history of DSSCs began in 1960 when it was discovered that illuminated organic dyes could be used as an electrochemical system to generate electricity. 166 , 167 In 1972, scientists successfully developed the chlorophyll-sensitized zinc oxide (ZnO) electrode for electricity generation by injecting excited dye molecules into a semiconducting material. 166 , 168 DSSCs have recently emerged as a promising technology due to their potential for achieving high PCE combined with low production costs and a straightforward fabrication process.…”

Recent Progress, Advancements, and Efficiency Improvement Techniques of Natural Plant Pigment‐Based Photosensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Instead, sensitized wide band gap semiconductors derived from metal oxides such as TiO 2 , ZnO, niobium oxide, carbon materials, bilayer-assembled, and their composites have been used as a major photoelectrode in DSSCs, as shown in Figure 4 [38,39]. So, the next section discussed the basic structure of DSSCs, which is composed of different layers as compared to conventional solar cells based on silicon, such as photoanode/photoelectrode/working electrode (WE), counterelectrode (CE), electrolyte, and sensitizer (both synthetic/complex and natural dyes) [35,38,40,41].…”

Green Chemistry and Process Intensification: Milestones on a Sustainable Development

“…These ameliorations imply that process periods and so energy consumption could be greatly decreased for a given operation [139][140][141]. In addition, alternative energy sources (e.g., microwave and light energy [17]) that can be selected to wanted process chemistries, may conduct to less energy waste than is frequently faced with traditional thermal energy sources Ghernaout, et al [142]; Ghernaout, et al [143]; Ghernaout and Elboughdiri [144].…”