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Definition
1. Dye-sensitized solar cells are based on a semiconductor designed such that the nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are coated in a light-sensitive dye and surrounded by electrolyte, which is sandwiched between another electrolyte and a cathode. The anode is a transparent material for the light to pass through. Titanium oxide is in the form of a mesh of particles suspended between the two electrodes. The light-sensitive dye is responsible for converting photons into electrons. The electrolyte is usually an iodide ion that helps in the transfer of electrons to cathode and vice versa. Energy obtained through this simple dye-sensitive cell can be harvested in driving electrical system loads.
2. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) use an organic dye to absorb incoming sunlight to produce excited electrons and create an energy which is then transferred to an inexpensive material, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). From there, the energy is collected on a transparent conducting surface. Currently, its conversion efficiency is between 8% and 11% (limited by the problems associated with both the electrolyte solution and the dye used), which is lower than most of other current solar technology.
Abbreviation
DSSC
Synonyms
Grätzel cell
Superterms
Solar cells
Subterms
Sources
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/30957/dye-sensitized-solar-cell-dssc (1.); http://www.gartner.com/it-glossary/dye-sensitized-solar-cells-dssc (2.)
Author: Simon Waterstradt
