Recent Investigations on the Use of Copper Complexes in Photovoltaic Application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photovoltaics
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Copper complexes are emerging as critical materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
• Their potential spans roles as sensitizers, redox mediators, and functional components in advanced device architectures.
• Recent advancements focus on enhancing sustainability and performance in photovoltaic technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review significant achievements in copper-based DSSCs from 2024 onwards.
• To highlight the diverse roles of copper in DSSC development.
• To assess the progress and future directions for copper in sustainable solar energy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of research published from 2024 onwards.
• Analysis of copper complex applications as sensitizers, redox mediators, and in novel device architectures.
• Evaluation of efficiency, stability, and environmental compatibility of copper-based DSSCs.

Main Results:

• Copper-based redox mediators have shown remarkable advances, exceeding 10% efficiency with high long-term stability.
• Fine-tuning of ligand environments and electrolytes significantly improves performance.
• Developments in aqueous and quasi-solid-state DSSCs enhance durability and environmental friendliness.
• Novel concepts like retro and
• zombie
• DSSCs showcase copper's versatility.

Conclusions:

• Copper complexes are highly promising, earth-abundant alternatives to noble-metal systems in DSSCs.
• Further optimization is needed for light absorption, charge recombination, and large-scale stability.
• Copper chemistry offers significant potential for simplified device design and new applications in solar energy.