Review of State of the Art Recycling Methods in the Context of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

In times of climate change and dwindling fossil resources, the need for sustainable renewable energy technologies gains importance, increasingly fast. However, the state of the art technologies are energy intensive in their production, like monocrystalline photovoltaic, or even consist of not recyclable composite material, in the case of wind turbine blades. Despite a lack in efficiency and stability, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have a high potential to supplement the state of the art green energy technology in future. With low production costs and no necessity for toxic compounds DSSCs are a potential product, which could circulate in the loops of a circular economy. Therefore, with this paper, we provide the status of research on DSSC recycling and an outlook on how recycling streams could be realized in the future for glass-based DSSCs without toxic components. The overview includes work on using recycled material to build DSSCs and extending the life of a DSSC, e.g., through rehydration. We also illustrate the state of sustainability research for DSSCs using the VOSviewer tool. To date, the term sustainability appears in 35 of 24,441 publications on DSSCs. In view of the global challenges, sustainability should be researched more seriously because it is as important as the efficiency and stability of DSSCs.

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Investigating the Recycling Potential of Glass Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells—Melting Experiment

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14216622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (21) ◽

pp. 6622

Author(s):

Fabian Schoden ◽

Anna Katharina Schnatmann ◽

Emma Davies ◽

Dirk Diederich ◽

Jan Lukas Storck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Sustainable Energy ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

The State ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Recycling Potential ◽

Glass Recycling ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly clear, and the urgency of solving the energy and resource crisis has been recognized by politicians and society. One of the most important solutions is sustainable energy technologies. The problem with the state of the art, however, is that production is energy-intensive and non-recyclable waste remains after the useful life. For monocrystalline photovoltaics, for example, there are recycling processes for glass and aluminum, but these must rather be described as downcycling. The semiconductor material is not recycled at all. Another promising technology for sustainable energy generation is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Although efficiency and long-term stability still need to be improved, the technology has high potential to complement the state of the art. DSSCs have comparatively low production costs and can be manufactured without toxic components. In this work, we present the world’ s first experiment to test the recycling potential of non-toxic glass-based DSSCs in a melting test. The glass constituents were analyzed by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES), and the surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). The glass was melted in a furnace and compared to a standard glass recycling process. The results show that the described DSSCs are suitable for glass recycling and thus can potentially circulate in a circular economy without a downcycling process. However, material properties such as chemical resistance, transparency or viscosity are not investigated in this work and need further research.

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Performance Evaluation of DSC Windows for Buildings

International Journal of Photoenergy ◽

10.1155/2013/472086 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jun-Gu Kang ◽

Jin-Hee Kim ◽

Jun-Tae Kim

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Light Transmission ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Production Costs ◽

Zero Energy ◽

Lower Efficiency ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Chemical Material

Interest in BIPV systems with dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) that can replace building windows has increased for zero energy buildings. Although DSCs have lower efficiency in terms of electricity generation than silicon solar cells, they allow light transmission and application of various colors; they also have low production costs, which make them especially suitable for BIPV systems. DSC research is interdisciplinary, involving electrical, chemical, material, and metal engineering. A considerable amount of research has been conducted on increasing the electrical efficiency of DSC and their modules. However, there has not been sufficient research on building applications of DSC systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the optical performance and thermal performance of DSC windows in buildings. For this study, DSC experimental models with different thicknesses and dye colors were manufactured, and their optical properties, such as transmittance and reflectivity, were measured by a spectrometer. The thermal and optical characteristics of double-glazed windows with DSC were analyzed with a window performance analysis program, WINDOW 6.0.

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A study on knowledge flows of dye-sensitized solar cells’ patent

foresight ◽

10.1108/fs-11-2012-0088 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 229-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

James K.C. Chen ◽

Van Kien Pham

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Technology Development ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Green Energy ◽

Knowledge Flows ◽

Knowledge Network ◽

Scientific Publications ◽

Content Type ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the development and knowledge flows of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) via the use of patent inventor database. Moreover, this study aims to explore patentees and inventors’ companies to help readers and practitioners to be able to understand the patentees, technology development and activities of knowledge flows from four countries. DSSCs, which are known as one of the key technologies of green energy, have been applied ever more widely to many different industries, and their use has quickly grown with a number of scientific publications and patent applications. Design/methodology/approach – This paper was based on the US patent database collection of third-generation DSSCs in four typical countries such as USA, Japan, Germany and Taiwan to map the knowledge network of DSSC technology via the social network analysis method. Findings – The knowledge network of 132 DSSC patents was explored. Among the four countries, Japan leads, with the main patent number being H01G009. This paper also indicates the knowledge flow situation of Japanese inventors of DSSCs. For example, patented inventors Wariishi and Koji (JP) served the Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (JP) in 2002, and then in 2008, transferred to the Fuji Film Corporation (JP). This means that the knowledge of technology was transferred by people who moved to another company for a new job. Research limitations/implications – This study is based on US Patent and Trademark Office patent database to do exploration. Practical implications – This study was expected to provide information for the industry, government and academia, so that they will understand the trajectory of the technology inventor, specialist cultivation and technology development in the DSSC industry. Originality/value – This study provides useful information for the green energy industry, government and academia to understand the importance of the knowledge flows and future development of DSSC technology of the solar cell industry. Thereby, they can intensify industrial competence and innovation by externally collaborating in this field as well as to increase the industrial competence by reimbursing the funds from government and other research institutes.

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Dye-sensitized Solar Cells: Novel Concepts, Materials, and State-of-the-Art Performances

International Journal of Green Energy ◽

10.1080/15435070902880901 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 245-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

H. Aguilar Ribeiro ◽

P. M. Sommeling ◽

J. M. Kroon ◽

A. Mendes ◽

C. A. V. Costa

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

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Toward Sustainable, Colorless, and Transparent Photovoltaics: State of the Art and Perspectives for the Development of Selective Near‐Infrared Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Advanced Energy Materials ◽

10.1002/aenm.202101598 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 2101598

Author(s):

Fionnuala Grifoni ◽

Matteo Bonomo ◽

Waad Naim ◽

Nadia Barbero ◽

Thomas Alnasser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Near Infrared ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Near Infrared Dye ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

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The state of external circuit affects the stability of dye-sensitized solar cells

Electrochimica Acta ◽

10.1016/j.electacta.2018.04.117 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 275 ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aapo Poskela ◽

Kati Miettunen ◽

Armi Tiihonen ◽

Peter D. Lund

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

The State ◽

External Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

The Stability ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

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A review on materials for light scattering in dye-sensitized solar cells

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c4ra01308e ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (34) ◽

pp. 17615-17638 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

T. G. Deepak ◽

G. S. Anjusree ◽

Sara Thomas ◽

T. A. Arun ◽

Shantikumar V. Nair ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Light Scattering ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Scattering Layer ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

A state-of-the-art review highlighting the theory, role and the materials of the scattering layer in dye-sensitized solar cells.

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Anthraquinones- A probe to enhance the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs

International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE) ◽

10.11591/ijece.v6i3.pp1274-1280 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 1274

Author(s):

Jinchu I ◽

Jyothi R ◽

N Pandurangan ◽

Sreelatha KS ◽

Krishnashree Achuthan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Wavelength Region ◽

Green Energy ◽

Natural Dye ◽

Energy Prices ◽

Photovoltaic Properties ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

<p>Natural dye sensitized solar cells are a promising class of photovoltaic cells with the capacity of generating green energy at low production cost since no expensive equipment is required in their fabrication. Photovoltaics are a precious technology in the hasty world where energy prices are goes on increasing within seconds. Researchers are focusing to facilitate for producing eco-friendly, low cost and more efficient dye sensitized solar cells. In the present work we discuss the comparative photovoltaic studies of Lawsone, a natural dye from henna plant and Alizarin, a natural dye from the root of madder for fabricating the Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The absorption spectrum of Lawsone and Alizarin is found to be shifted to the longer wavelength region after the complex formation. As a result there is a significant increase in short circuit current density and conversion efficiency. This result compares with the standard dye i.e. N719 dye.</p>

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Henna (Lawsonia inermisL.) Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Titania Solar Cell

Journal of Nanotechnology ◽

10.1155/2012/167128 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Khalil Ebrahim Jasim ◽

Shawqi Al-Dallal ◽

Awatif M. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Low Cost ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit Current ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Green Energy ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Research Activities ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Low-cost solar cells have been the subject of intensive research activities for over half century ago. More recently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a new class of low-cost solar cells that can be easily prepared. Natural-dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSCs) are shown to be excellent examples of mimicking photosynthesis. The NDSSC acts as a green energy generator in which dyes molecules adsorbed to nanocrystalline layer of wide bandgap semiconductor material harvest photons. In this paper we investigate the structural, optical, electrical, and photovoltaic characterization of two types of natural dyes, namely, the Bahraini Henna and the Yemeni Henna, extracted using the Soxhlet extractor. Solar cells from both materials were prepared and characterized. It was found that the levels of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are concentration dependent. Further suggestions to improve the efficiency of NDSSC are discussed.

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