Review on fabrication methodologies and its impacts on performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

This review highlights and summarizes the impact of different fabrication processes on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Energy conversion efficiency of cell depends upon semiconductor, sensitizer, electrolyte, and counter electrode. Efficiency of DSSCs can be enhanced by properly selecting the optimum significance of various parameters of fabrications process. Major challenges of these solar cells are non-vegetal, noxious, extreme sensitizers. Application of natural dyes in this field plays a significant role. An optimized CdSe-TiO₂ photoanode showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.29% and short circuit current density of 15.30 mA cm^-2 for the DSSC. Power conversion efficiency of 3.26% was achieved by using TTO electrode for DSSC device that is ascribed to the improved electrical and optical properties due to doping with Ta element. Absorbance of betalain was shown in the visible range of 530-535 nm for betanin while 450-559 nm for anthocyanin pigment. The natural dyes are economical, readily available, and environmentally friendly. This compilation would be beneficial for researchers working on dye solar cell.