Review of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSCs) Development

Abstract

Energy consumption is increasing yearly all over the world due to the increase in population and demand of energy. The world largely depends on a hydroelectric energy supply, thermal electric energy supply which is all non-renewable energy resources. Nevertheless, non-re-newable energy resources are rapidly decreasing per year due to increasing rate of energy consumption. The quest for the discovery of another abundant resource of energy has at-tracted many scientists into development of renewable energy technologies like photovoltaic energy which are the technology that convert solar radiation into electricity. For the past several years, different photovoltaic devices like inorganic, organic, and hybrid solar cells have been invented using different methods for different application purposes. Moreover, high conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells, the high cost of module and complicated production processes involved in the production restricted commercialization of photovoltaic solar cells as a means of electricity supply. Among all organic solar cells, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are the most efficient, low cost and easily implemented technology. This review paper focuses on clarifying the technological meaning of the structure of DSSCs, Various types of DSSCs materials, working electrode and working mechanism of DSSC, transparent and conductive substrate, nanocrystalline semiconductor film electrode, pho-tosensisitizer (dye), electrolyte, carbon layer electrode, zinc oxide (ZnO) layer, zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ) layer, benefits of DSSCs and application, the efficiency and challenges for research and development of DSSCs to upgrade the current efficiency.