Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a cost-effective alternative to silicon solar cells, utilizing titanium dioxide nanoparticles and molecular dyes to convert visible light into electricity. They offer advantages like operating under various light conditions and being made from eco-friendly materials, despite challenges such as temperature-sensitive liquid electrolytes. Research is ongoing to enhance their efficiency and address manufacturing scalability, highlighting DSSCs' potential in renewable energy generation.

1. Dye-sensitized solar cell
 Name of the Contributor: Jayita Dan
 Department: Physics
 Brainware University - Kolkata
 https://www.brainwareuniversity.ac.in/

2. Summary:
A Dye-sensitized solar cell is third generation
low cost solar cell compared to silicon solar
cell, has received widespread attention in
recent years. Several researches are going on
to improve their energy-conversion efficiency
as the solar energy is one of the renewable
energy based on modern technologies, which
are suitable for the sustainability.

3. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is an advanced
type of thin film solar cell or photovoltaic cell that
converts any visible light into electrical energy. A
dye-sensitized solar cell is made of a layer of
titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, covered with
a molecular dye that absorbs sunlight. The dye-
sensitized solar cell is a technically and
economically dependable substitute of p–n
junction solar cell as most of the materials used
are economical. Titanium dioxide nanoparticle-
based solar cell gives efficiency over 10%. It was
invented by Prf. Michael Graetzel and Dr. Brian
O’Regan in 1991.Sometimes it refers as Gratzel
cell or G-cell.

4. How does DSSC work?
The dyes of DSSC are made of photoactive
material. When sunlight falls onto the dye layer
the dye catches photons of incoming light and
absorbs energy, which enables the dye to enter
an excited state & emits electrons. These excited
electrons are injected into the Titanium Dioxide.
The electrons are diffused towards the
transparent electrode and they are collected for
powering a load. After flowing through the external
circuit electrons are re-entered into the cell on a
metal electrode on the back of the cell. Then the
electrons are returned back to the dye.

5. Advantages of Dye-sensitized solar cell over a
silicon based solar cell
 It can able to Work at Wider Angles which makes the cells
absorb more sunlight. It also works in cloudy and low-light
conditions whether silicon solar cell requires more intense
sunlight. These cells do not require frequent replacements
because these are long lasting. These are made of eco-
friendly nano-materials. They are light in weight and
mechanically robust and hence require no special protection
from rains or trees or any other harsh objects. Besides all of
these, the silicon cells are heated easily and hence the
efficiency is effectively reduced and it requires protection by
covering a glass plate. This situation is eliminated in the
DSSC. DSSC is built of thin conducting plastic top layer that
helps to radiate heat and hence operate at low internal
temperatures. It helps in increasing the efficiency of the solar
cells.

6. Advantages of Dye-sensitized solar
cell
 Despite of huge advantages it has some
disadvantages also. The main disadvantage is, the
liquid electrolyte used in Dye-sensitized solar cell is
temperature sensitive. At low temperature the
electrolyte can freeze and at high temperature the
liquid electrolyte expands thus the cell become
completely unusable. Besides these liquid evaporation
causes serious problems. However, replacing the
liquid electrolyte with a solid has been a major
ongoing field of research. But the problem is, DSCC is
not manufactured in commercial scale yet.
 DSSC has promising future in becoming a major
contributor to renewable power generation. Simple
processing, low-cost materials and a wide range of
applications help DSSC to find a foothold in the
modern technological market.