Solar Cell Materials refers to the materials used in the construction and functioning of solar cells. These materials play a crucial role in converting sunlight into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. Some common solar cell materials include: perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) materials, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) materials, organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials. It's important to note that ongoing research and development in solar cell materials aim to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and explore new alternatives for sustainable energy generation.
Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) refers to a type of solar cell technology that utilizes organic materials to convert sunlight into electricity. Unlike traditional photovoltaic cells, which are typically made of inorganic semiconductors like silicon, OPV uses organic molecules or polymers as the active material. This technology is more suitable for large-scale power generation, as organic semiconductors are a less expensive alternative to inorganic semiconductors.
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) use photosensitizers adsorbed on the surface of nanocrystalline mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) films, as well as electrolytes or solid charge-transporting materials, to convert light into electricity. They have many functions, including transparency, multicolor, and low-cost fabrication, and are deployed in glass facades, skylights, and greenhouses. Sensitizers are the key to DSSCs, which drive the operation of the entire cell by continuously absorbing light to generate a flow of electrons. Each sensitizer has its corresponding absorption spectrum distribution. To improve the matching of the absorption spectrum of the sensitizer with the solar spectrum, co-sensitization of multiple sensitizers is sometimes required to improve the conversion efficiency of solar cells.