Recent progress on tandem structured dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Tandem structured dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) can take full advantage of sunlight, effectively broadening the absorption spectrum of the cell, resulting in a higher open circuit voltage or short circuit current than that of the conventional DSSC with single light absorber. The theoretical maximum efficiency is therefore suggested to be over the Schottky-Queisser limit of 33%. Accordingly, tandem design of DSSC is thought to be a promising way to break the performance bottleneck of DSSC. Besides, the tandem designs also broaden the application diversity of DSSC technology, which will accelerate its scale-up industrial application. In this paper, we have reviewed the recent progress on photo-electrochemical applications associated with kinds of tandem designs of DSSCs, in general, which are divided into three kinds: “n-type DSSC+n-type DSSC,” “n-type DSSC+p-type DSSC” and “n-type DSSC+other solar conversion devices.” The working principles, advantages and challenges of these tandem structured DSSCs have been discussed. Some possible solutions for further studies have been also pointed out together.

Keywords

dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) / tandem structure / photo-electrochemical cell

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express sincere thanks for the financial supports by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21103058), the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CBA00703), Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (No. 2011CDB033) and Basic Scientific Research Funds for Central Colleges (No. 2010QN024). We also thank Analytical and Testing Center of Huazhong University Science and Technology for the sample measurements.

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