STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES OF DYES USED IN DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) is promising alternative for the development of new generation of solar cells. Currently DSSC is using inorganic (Ruthenium) and organic (natural and synthetic) dyes as a sensitizer. The natures of these dyes together with other parameters have resulted in varying performance. The use of natural pigments have become a viable alternative to expensive and rare Ruthenium dyes because of its low cost, easy attainability, abundance in supply of raw materials and no environment threat. Various components of plants such as fruits, flower petals are being used as natural sensitizers. In this review, commonly used dyes in DSSC have been studied. The principles and components of DSSC are explained and recent progress on inorganic and organic dyes is reviewed. This study will be useful for the researchers working in this emerging technology.