Optimization of components for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: a combined approach for performance improvement.

Photovoltaic devices are capable of converting light into an orderly flow of charges also known as Electricity. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are newgeneration photovoltaic devices in which the component capable of absorbing light and creating a separation of electric charges are dye molecules adsorbed on a semitransparent thin layer of a semiconductor. Despite their simple architecture, DSSCs are devices characterized by a very complex entanglement of physical variables, each one interacting with the others to determine macroscopic features of the device. For example: the energy levels of the photoactive compound set limits on the portion of solar light that will be absorbed; the orbital overlap between the semiconductor substrate and the dye rule on the electron injection; the electron density on the solid surface and the ions concentration in the liquid charge carrier shape the outcome voltage. The all of this parameters, and many more, needs to be tuned each other to convert the solar energy with the best efficiency. In this piece of writing, I am analyzing tree of the main parts of DSSCs: the semiconductor solid surface, the photoactive dye material, and the electrolyte charge transporter. Not only will efficiency issue be addressed, but also longevity of the devices, generally hampered by dye degradation or electrolyte evaporation; esthetical needs such as transparency and color; and deep understanding of nanocomposites or ionic liquids application response will be addressed.