Abstract
Graphite with a single atomic layer known as graphene shows great capability in energy conversion and storage devices. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted intense interests due to offering high photo-to-electric conversion efficiencies. DSSCs are built from a photoelectrode (a dye-sensitized nanocrystalline semiconductor), an electrolyte with redox couples, and a counterelectrode. In this review article, we outline the strategies to enhance the efficiency and reduce the cost by introducing graphene into the DSSCs as the photoelectrode. First, the development of DSSCs and the properties of graphene are briefly described. Then, the applications of graphene-based materials for photoelectrodes (transparent electrode, semiconductor layer, and dye sensitizer) in DSSCs are deeply discussed. Finally, an outlook for graphene materials in DSSCs is provided.
Highlights
Finding an alternative option of energy has become today’s essential need, with depleting conventional resources of energy, such as fossil fuels
As a novel photovoltaic technology, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have the potential to compete with traditional solar cells
Graphene has been widely explored in DSSCs as photoelectrodes
Summary
Finding an alternative option of energy has become today’s essential need, with depleting conventional resources of energy, such as fossil fuels. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a generally bottom-up process used to develop large-area, single, and few-layer graphene sheets on metal substrates [61,62,63,64]. Another example is the plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD). The materials obtained by this method firmly adhered to the substrate
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
