Scanning prevalent technologies to promote scalable devising of DSSCs: An emphasis on dye component precisely with a shift to ambient algal dyes

Abstract

State-of-the-art research in solar technologies has led to the development of thin sensitizing films, almost to the nanoscale. Still, due to environmental harm, metallic complexes pose a significant threat and have an exhaustion limit. One of the types of thin-film and nano structure-based solar cells is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), which utilize organic and inorganic materials as components. DSSC holds well in its metal usage reduction efforts compared to the available market panels and is generally a little less highlighted for habitat destruction risks. The dye component in DSSC has a major role in harvesting photon energy into electrical energy, and it is best when extracted from natural sources considering their abundance. This review article investigates various inorganic and organic dyes for efficiency and their most efficient combinations that have been developed with various electrolytes, semiconducting and counter electrodes. The review article also analyses natural algal and bacterial dyes, their combinations, and their use in various DSSC modifications while interpreting reasons and photo electrochemical parameters related to efficiency enhancement in depth. This review article explores the effect on the integrated components when blended with natural organic materials, primarily focussing on electrolytes that can be prepared without organic solvents. It also talks of not using any rare earth elements and toxic metals or compounds in electrodes construction. With the rationale of sustainable manufacturing of efficient DSSCs, other environment-friendly DSSC components and greener dye extraction techniques can be tested further. Algal dye exploration has been done on a large scale in the recent past, but the realm of algae has much to offer on the commercialization part of DSSCs, which is the essence of this planet for fulfilling energy needs. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.