Dye sensitized solar cells: Meta-analysis of effect sensitizer-type on photovoltaic efficiency

Since Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) was created, a versatile and cost-effective alternative among photovoltaic technology options for power generation and energy transition to combat climate change have emerged. The theoretical and experimental knowledge of DSSCs have increased in regard to their operation in the last three decades of development; it includes the device's components, as well as the most recent innovations in their application and forms of activation. In this work paper, we presented a meta-study of photovoltaic characterization parameters, 329 scientific reports of DSSCs were considered to compare three types of sensitizers (Organometallics, non-metal organic dyes and, natural dyes). The objective of this study is to compare DSSCs performance when using three different sensitizers. In general, the best reported results related to DSSCs are based on organic and organometallic sensitizers. DSSCs based on organometallic compounds have an average efficiency of approximately 9.1 %, which displays the best average result; the maximum efficiency value recorded for DSSCs sensitized to organometallic compounds is 13.0 %. DSSCs based on synthetic organic sensitizers without the presence of metals in their structure, the average efficiency is approximately 7.1 % and the maximum efficiency values is 15.2 % (DSSCs utilize the co-photosensitization system and dye pre-adsorption treatment). DSSCs based on natural sensitizers indicated an average efficiency value about 0.5 % and the maximum efficiency value recorded is 2.3 %.