Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs): A Review

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), also known as Grätzel cells, represent a promising technology in the field of solar energy. These cells convert solar energy directly into electrical energy in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. A crucial component of these cells is the dye. The dye, essentially, acts as a molecular antenna, absorbing sunlight and thus initiating the energy conversion process. The absorption of a photon by the dye molecule elevates an electron to a higher energy level.This excited electron is then injected into a semiconductor, typically titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which acts as an electrode. The circuit is completed as an electron from the electrolyte replenishes the electron deficiency in the dye.