Recent Advances in the Sensitization of Wide-Band-Gap Nanostructured p-Type Semiconductors. Photovoltaic and Photocatalytic Applications

The dye-sensitized solar cell, based on the sensitization of a wide-band-gap p-type semiconductor (p-DSC), is an emerging and new generation of solar cell technology. p-DSCs share some similarities but also present some important differences with classical Gratzel cells. Herein, we aim at reviewing the most important and recent developments that have been accomplished in p-DSCs. We analyze the new strategies and the materials recently reported to improve p-DSSC efficiency. For each component, p-SC, dye, and redox couple, we discuss the requirements for efficient energy conversion and analyze the opportunities for improvement and specific alternative solutions. This article provides a perspective on potentially fruitful research directions to overcome remaining challenges in this area.