Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells: Theory and Applications

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and more recently developed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted significant attention in the community of photovoltaics due to their low cost, low temperature fabrication, and promising power conversion efficiency (PCE). As two new concepts within photovoltaic techniques, it is necessary to make a brief summarize them of them and rationalize their development. In this chapter, we start with introduction of commercial silicon solar cells and compared these with the new dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells. Then we detail the concept of the dye sensitized solar cells based on their operating principles, device structures, and mechanisms. Based on the structure of the DSSC, we discuss metal oxide photoanodes, different types of sensitizers, redox mediators and characterizations of the devices. In a similar fashion, we discuss the development of perovskite solar cells, including their operating mechanism, device engineering methods, the choice of charge transporting materials, and finally the dynamic study of the devices. A forecast of the industrialization and commercialization of the PSCs is also given at the end of the article.