Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are celebrating their 30th birthday and they are attracting a wealth of research efforts aimed at unleashing their full potential. In recent years, DSCs and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have experienced a renaissance as the best technology for several niche applications that take advantage of DSCs' unique combination of properties: at low cost, they are composed of non-toxic materials, are colorful, transparent, and very efficient in low light conditions. This review summarizes the advancements in the field over the last decade, encompassing all aspects of the DSC technology: theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications as solar cells and as drivers for the synthesis of solar fuels, and commercialization efforts from various companies.
Highlights
Unprecedented changes in the world’s energy production are required to meet with the urgent need to replace fossil fuels to mitigate their effects on climate change, and to keep pace with the ever-increasing global demand for energy
For the non-adiabatic equilibrium, DH1= Æ 7.0 kJ molÀ1.128 The results show that the magnitude of DG1 is decreased when adiabatic pathways are operative, a finding that should be considered in the design of S–B–D sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell applications.[129,130]
Methods based on Green function (GW) and on the Random Phase Approximation (RPA), as well as methods based on BetheSalpeter equation (BSE) and TD-Density Functional Theory (DFT) have the potential of providing results in quantitative agreement with experiments, but their feasibility is hindered by high computational cost.[182]
Summary
Unprecedented changes in the world’s energy production are required to meet with the urgent need to replace fossil fuels to mitigate their effects on climate change, and to keep pace with the ever-increasing global demand for energy. DSCs remain a competitive third generation alternative photovoltaic technology for several reasons including: (i) simple preparation methods, which will help to convert solar energy in a sustainable way, (ii) fabrication without the use of toxic materials, and (iii) design flexibility, which allows DSCs to be implemented in many different environments, from transparent smart windows to consumer electronics and indoor applications, which enables the powering of the digital revolution of widely distributed sensors forming the Internet of Things (IoT). The research progress during the past ten years in the field of DSCs is marked by important breakthroughs towards their use for a sustainable future Relentless endeavours made it possible to achieve high efficiencies for DSCs in outdoor and indoor environments.
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