Review—Recent Advancements in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells; From Photoelectrode to Counter Electrode

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are promising photovoltaic technology with diverse indoor and outdoor applications. DSSCs can be integrated with curtains and glasses to power various devices, including wireless sensors, computer network peripherals, internet-of-things (IoT) devices, and wearable electronics. DSSCs have the potential to become the future source of energy. However, their efficiency, stability, and industrial production still need to be scaled up. The present review encompasses these elements and the various changes that have occurred inside the DSSC over the last few years, including device structure, TiO2 photoelectrode, novel electrolytes, new organic photosensitizers, efficient catalyst materials, and encapsulation strategies for sealing DSSC devices. We further discuss how the performance of each functional component of a DSSC has been enhanced as a result of the introduction of novel materials and manufacturing processes. In addition, we also briefly cover p-DSSCs and tandem DSSCs. Finally, the prospect of highly efficient and stable DSSCs is highlighted.