Recent advances in the development of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells: fabrication, challenges and applications-a review

Abstract

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) show a huge potential for stretchable electronics and portable power sources due to their lightweight, handy, flexibility, cost-effective, and easy processing. This paper introduces basic operating principles and design opportunities for maximum efficiencies for FDSSCs. Flexible polymers or metal substrates, enabling cost reduction due to large volume production with roll to roll manufacturing technique. DSSCs achieved a PCE of 14.30 % on rigid conductive substrates, 10.28 % on flexible metal substrates, and 8 % on plastic substrates. A brief distinction has been made on different substrates, preparation of charge transfers materials, coating and printing techniques and processing methods for enhancing the performance of FDSSCs. We also highlight issues pertaining to progress in the stability of devices and the commercialisation of FDSCs technologies will be explained.

Enhanced Indoor Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Optimizing Ball-Milling Process of TiO2 Paste

“…Therefore, it is necessary to develop a rapid preparation for the TiO 2 paste that can be used industrially for the application of DSSCs to increase efficiency and lower production costs. Using the high energy planetary ball mill in the preparation of the TiO 2 paste to improve DSSC efficiency compared with untreated TiO 2 pastes; (i) leads to decreasing the size of the particles [30], (ii) breaks down the bonds between molecules, and (iii) helps to improve dye adsorption due to the high-force impact kinetic energy on the material, as well as the synchronized alternation of centrifugal forces [31,32].…”

TiO2-bismuth screen printing ink for flexible low temperature dye sensitized solar cells

“…One example of flexible solar cells includes flexible dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), an emerging photovoltaics technology. DSSC posed the advantages of having simple design, ease of manufacturing and good performance under low light condition [3]. However, flexible DSSC technology suffers from having low conversion efficiency stemming from issues such as poor interparticle connectivity and limited charge transfer in the photoanode [4].…”

“…This was due to the sintering temperature in manufacturing flexible DSSC being low (120 -150 °C), to accommodate the plastic substrate that has low thermal stability [5]. Therefore, various effort has been made to address the issue plaguing the flexible low temperature DSSC and enhance the conversion efficiency to be higher than the current highest of around 8% [3].…”

In-situ graphene oxide reduction via inkjet printing using natural reducing inks

“…Printed electronics are eco-friendly manufacturing process with various advantages, such as low cost, stretchability, flexibility, variable substrate choice, and scalability compared to complex lithographic techniques. Conductive ink is the most important component, along with the substrate and printing setup [5,6]. The conductive ink composition consists of nanofillers dispersed homogeneously in a suitable solvent.…”