Toward Sustainable, Colorless, and Transparent Photovoltaics: State of the Art and Perspectives for the Development of Selective Near‐Infrared Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is one of the promising photovoltaic (PV) technologies for applications requiring high aesthetic features combined with energy production such as building integration PV (BIPV). In this context, DSSCs have the ability to be wavelength selective, thanks to the development of new sensitizers by molecular engineering. The long history of dye research has afforded is technology different colorations for reaching panchromatic light absorption. However, nearly 45% of radiation from sunlight lies in the near-infrared (NIR) region, where human cones are not sensitive. This review provides the reader with key information on how to selectively exploit this region to develop colorless and transparent PV based on DSSC technology. Besides selective NIR absorbers, the triptych photoanode, counter-electrode, and redox mediator are together contributing to reach high aesthetic features. Details of all the components, interplay, and an opinion on the technological limitations to reach colorless and transparent NIR-DSSC are herein discussed in relationship with BIPV applications.

Synthetic Efforts to Investigate the Effect of Planarizing the Triarylamine Geometry in Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“… 9 , 10 The recent development of near-infrared absorbing dyes 11 and photochromic dyes 12 will even allow for transparent devices that could be used in BIPV as power-generating windows. 13 …”

Optically Transparent Gold Nanoparticles for DSSC Counter-Electrode: An Electrochemical Characterization

“…Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a well-known photovoltaic (PV) technology due to its potential features of transparency, color tunability, low dependence from the solar incident angle and easy fabrication process [1][2][3] over Si-based solar cells. The working system was inspired by photosynthesis and the dye works, as chlorophyll does, harvesting photons [4].…”

“…Electrons from the external circuit, passing through the catalyst on the cathode, regenerate the redox couple and, in this way, the cycle is closed and it can continue (Figure 1a). In recent years, researchers in PV technologies have been attracted by the uncommon characteristics of transparency [1,2], bifaciality [5,6], the working capacity under a low sunlight intensity and the potential inclusion of friendly components [7][8][9][10] that can ensure applications in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), indoor environments [11] and greenhouses [12][13][14]. Transparency is ensured by the combination of different factors within the device: a low semiconductor thickness, the choice of the wavelength's dye absorption, the transparency of the electrolyte and that of the cathode.…”

Ultrathin Wide‐Bandgap a‐Si:H‐Based Solar Cells for Transparent Photovoltaic Applications

“…TPV devices can either be wavelength selective or non-selective, and have been fabricated with different absorber materials and device architectures. [12][13][14] As for inorganic wavelength-selective-based devices, oxide and chalcogenide materials are very interesting for the development of this technology as they are stable, inexpensive, abundant, easy DOI: 10.1002/solr.202100909 Herein, the fabrication of UV-blue selective transparent solar cells based on ultrathin (<30 nm) intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon films (a-Si:H) as absorber and using a fully inorganic architecture is reported, using metal-oxide thin films as carrier selective contacts and as transparent electrical contacts. These transparent ultrathin devices present a photovoltaic effect and high average visible transmittance (AVT), showing their potential as candidates for implementation as a transparent energy harvester.…”

“…TPV devices can either be wavelength selective or non‐selective, and have been fabricated with different absorber materials and device architectures. [ 12–14 ]…”