A comprehensive review of the evolution of dye-sensitized solar cells from ruthenium dyes to organic pigments with the influence of graphene nanoribbons

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as a significant advancement in renewable energy, rivalling traditional silicon-based photovoltaics. The dye in these cells has transitioned from costly ruthenium-based compounds to cost-effective, natural organic pigments. This shift has enhanced DSSCs' efficiency and stability, with their flexibility positioning them as potential alternatives to conventional rigid solar panels. Yet, there remains the hurdle of plastic substrates' temperature limitations, especially when DSSC production often requires much higher temperatures. Innovations to address this include electrophoretic deposition, pulse laser deposition, and the titanium tetraisopropoxide process. In addition, the potential of materials, particularly titanium dioxide and the influential graphene nanoribbons, in photoanode applications has been at the forefront of recent research. While DSSCs boast of transparency and economic benefits over their conventional counterparts, they still grapple with metal complexes and sustainability issues. The shift towards organic, eco-friendly dyes has been significant considering this. This review delves into DSSCs' development, mechanics, challenges, and solutions, highlighting their integration with devices like supercapacitors for promising renewable energy prospects.