Dye-sensitized solar cell

Dye-sensitized solar cell

Third generation solar cell: dye-sensitized solar cell

　Magic plant photosynthesis, is expected to help mankind to achieve the dream of clean energy. Recent years the researchers are trying to use this feature to make the extremely low-cost and real green solar cell: Third generation solar cell: dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC).
Dye-sensitized solar cell was invented by Michael Grätzel and Brian O'Regan in 1991.

Dye-sensitized solar cells separate the two functions provided by silicon in a traditional cell design. Normally the silicon acts as both the source of photoelectrons, as well as providing the electric field to separate the charges and create a current. In the dye-sensitized solar cell, the bulk of the semiconductor is used solely for charge transport, the photoelectrons are provided from a separate photosensitive dye. Charge separation occurs at the surfaces between the dye, semiconductor and electrolyte.
The dye molecules are quite small (nanometer sized), so in order to capture a reasonable amount of the incoming light the layer of dye molecules needs to be made fairly thick, much thicker than the molecules themselves. To address this problem, a nano-material is used as a scaffold to hold large numbers of the dye molecules in a 3-D matrix, increasing the number of molecules for any given surface area of cell. In existing designs, this scaffolding is provided by the semiconductor material, which serves double-duty.
The most attractive advantages for the dye-sensitized cells are the low-cost raw materials and simple manufacturing process. It is estimated that dye-sensitized cell is equivalent to the cost of silicon solar panels only 1 / 10. At the same time, it has low requirement of the light, even in the room; the photoelectric conversion rate will not be affected significantly.
In order to operate the practical application, we need overcome some drawbacks of the dye-sensitized cells:
- Improve the transformation rate, recently, dye-sensitized cells can reach about 11%, but the normal traditional silicon cell is more than 15%.
- solve the problem: more big size, efficiency will weaken.
- Improve the useful life.

Compiled by: Draiman Yj