Harnessing Natural Dyes and Nanomaterials for DSSC Innovation: A Review of Experimental and Materials Trends

Ivan Hameed; Maher K. Ali; Shinwar A. Idrees

doi:10.65542/djei.v2i1.30

Authors

Ivan Hameed Department of Environment, College of Science, University of Zakho
Maher K. Ali Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Zakho
Shinwar A. Idrees Research Center, University of Zakho https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6975-3527

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65542/djei.v2i1.30

Keywords:

DSSCs; Natural dyes; Photoanodes; Nanoparticles; Electrolyte solution.

Abstract

This review covers recent developments in dye-sensitized solar cells, focusing on natural pigments, nanostructures in photoanodes, and modifications to electrolytes, which all relate to the enhancement of device performance. Anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and carotenoids are some natural dyes that are under investigation as alternatives to ruthenium-based synthetic dyes. However, they still have some drawbacks due to their restricted absorption spectra and low stability. Enhanced extraction methods have realized 30% gains in dye performance. The design and composition of the photoanode play a significant role in DSSC efficiency. The latest progress in doping TiO₂ with materials like silver and graphene, adding other semiconductors such as ZnO and MoS₂, has established efficiencies as high as 10.35% for DSSCs. Moreover, interface modification, especially the use of alternative electrolytes, replacing the conventional iodide/triiodide system with cobalt, copper complexes, has attained higher efficiencies up to 14.4%. However, stability in volatile solvents remains a challenge. This review considers DSSCs to become one of the practical renewable energy technologies, yet some important limitations, together with ways for future research, are emphasized.

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