Chapter 14
Photoenergy Conversion (Dye-Sensitized
Solar Cells)
Yousuke Ooyama
Abstract Organic solar (photovoltaic) cell is one of the most promising new renewable photovoltaic cells. In particular, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on dye
photosensitizers adsorbed on photoelectrodes (oxide semiconductor electrodes such
as TiO 2 , ZnO, and NiO) have received considerable attention from the viewpoint
of the fascinating construction and operational principles, decorative natures, low
cost of fabrication, and high power conversion efficiency. For improvement of the
photovoltaic performances of DSSCs, it is essential to create new efficient dye photosensitizers. Therefore, a variety of ruthenium (Ru) complex dyes and organic dyes
that possess excellent light-harvesting properties over the wide spectral region of
sunlight and enhanced electron communication between the dye and photoelectrode
and between the dye and electrolyte have been designed and developed. To date, the
solar energy-to-electricity conversion yield (η) of up to 13% has been achieved in
DSSCs.
Keywords Dye-Sensitized solar cells · Dye sensitizers · TiO 2 electrode · ZnO
electrode · NiO electrode
14.1 Introduction
For the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all
United Nations Member States in 2015 that provides a shared blueprint for peace
and prosperity for people and the planet now and into the future, the development
of new renewable and sustainable energy sources is an issue of global concern
to be addressed. Solar (photovoltaic) cells have attracted much attention among
sustainable energy sources. Solar cells based on silicon (crystalline, multicrystalline,
microcrystalline, and amorphous silicon), compound semiconductor (e.g., cadmium
telluride (CdTe) and chalcopyrite compounds including copper indium gallium
Y. Ooyama (B)
Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1
Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
e-mail: yooyama@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ooyama and S. Yagi (eds.), Progress in the Science of Functional Dyes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4392-4_14
469
Photoenergy Conversion (Dye-Sensitized
Solar Cells)
Yousuke Ooyama
Abstract Organic solar (photovoltaic) cell is one of the most promising new renewable photovoltaic cells. In particular, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on dye
photosensitizers adsorbed on photoelectrodes (oxide semiconductor electrodes such
as TiO 2 , ZnO, and NiO) have received considerable attention from the viewpoint
of the fascinating construction and operational principles, decorative natures, low
cost of fabrication, and high power conversion efficiency. For improvement of the
photovoltaic performances of DSSCs, it is essential to create new efficient dye photosensitizers. Therefore, a variety of ruthenium (Ru) complex dyes and organic dyes
that possess excellent light-harvesting properties over the wide spectral region of
sunlight and enhanced electron communication between the dye and photoelectrode
and between the dye and electrolyte have been designed and developed. To date, the
solar energy-to-electricity conversion yield (η) of up to 13% has been achieved in
DSSCs.
Keywords Dye-Sensitized solar cells · Dye sensitizers · TiO 2 electrode · ZnO
electrode · NiO electrode
14.1 Introduction
For the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all
United Nations Member States in 2015 that provides a shared blueprint for peace
and prosperity for people and the planet now and into the future, the development
of new renewable and sustainable energy sources is an issue of global concern
to be addressed. Solar (photovoltaic) cells have attracted much attention among
sustainable energy sources. Solar cells based on silicon (crystalline, multicrystalline,
microcrystalline, and amorphous silicon), compound semiconductor (e.g., cadmium
telluride (CdTe) and chalcopyrite compounds including copper indium gallium
Y. Ooyama (B)
Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1
Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
e-mail: yooyama@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ooyama and S. Yagi (eds.), Progress in the Science of Functional Dyes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4392-4_14
469