Polymers in dye sensitized solar cells: overview and perspectives

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are the result of a combination Of several different materials: optically transparent electrodes, nanoparticulated semiconductors, coordination compounds, inorganic salts, solvents and metallic catalysts. Each material performs a specific task toward the overall objective of harvesting solar light and transforming it into electricity. To improve the efficiency and increase the technological perspectives of DSSC, there is a tendency to substitute some of these materials by polymers. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) based electrodes can substitute glass electrodes, improving the flexibility and impact resistance of a DSSC. Liquid electrolytes are volatile and may leak if the cell is not properly sealed. Their replacement by polymeric electrolytes solves both problems with the additional advantage that they act as a binder for the electrodes. More recently, intrinsically conducting polymers have been used as hole conducting materials in DSSC, with promising results. In this review we will discuss these tendencies, highlighting the advantages of using polymers, and discussing the problems faced by researchers working in this area. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.