Application of natural photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells: opportunities, challenges, and future outlook
摘要
As the global demand for renewable and sustainable energy solutions intensifies, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have gained prominence as a promising alternative to conventional silicon-based photovoltaics. This review examines recent advancements in natural sensitizers for DSSCs, emphasizing their potential for enhancing light-harvesting efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The review begins by outlining the fundamental principles of DSSCs and the pivotal role of photosensitizers in these systems. A systematic analysis of recent literature has been conducted, focusing on the performance, stability, and practical applicability of various natural dye sources. The review highlights key achievements with natural dyes, including their potential to create sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly DSSCs with reasonable efficiency. Additionally, persistent challenges, such as dye degradation and low long-term stability, are discussed, along with proposed strategies to address these limitations. This comprehensive assessment provides insights into future research directions and the practical feasibility of natural sensitizers in next-generation DSSC technology.