Recent advances in the development of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells: fabrication, challenges and applications-a review

Abstract

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) show a huge potential for stretchable electronics and portable power sources due to their lightweight, handy, flexibility, cost-effective, and easy processing. This paper introduces basic operating principles and design opportunities for maximum efficiencies for FDSSCs. Flexible polymers or metal substrates, enabling cost reduction due to large volume production with roll to roll manufacturing technique. DSSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.30% on rigid conductive substrates, 10.28% on flexible metal substrates, and 8% on plastic substrates. A brief distinction has been made on different substrates, preparation of charge transfers materials, coating and printing techniques and processing methods for enhancing the performance of FDSSCs. We also highlight issues pertaining to progress in the stability of devices and the commercialisation of FDSCs technologies will be explained.