Recent Advances in Quantum Dot‐Dye Co‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Challenges and Future Perspectives

ABSTRACT Among the third‐generation solar light harvesting devices, dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were the most studied solar cell device model in the past decade. To date, DSSCs have achieved maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.2%. However, the low molar extinction coefficient and absorptivity over a narrow range of solar spectrum limits their usage for practical purpose. After DSSCs, quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) are the most studied candidates in this decade. A maximum PCE of 18.1% has been reported for QDSSCs so far. Nevertheless, QDSSCs still suffer from the drawback of non‐scalable synthesis of QDs, long term instability of perovskite QDs and usage of toxic materials like Cd, Se, and Pb for fabrication of QD sensitized light harvesting devices. The ideal approach for efficient light harvesting is to combine quantum dots and dyes as sensitizers to extract their fullest benefits while eliminating their limitations. In this review, we discuss the fabrication and characterization of dye‐QD co‐sensitized devices. Further, we compare the PCE and other properties of co‐sensitized devices. Finally, we discuss the future research direction of these co‐sensitized devices, which can lead to fabrication of stable and efficient photovoltaic devices for practical applications.