Recent development in two-dimensional material-based advanced photoanodes for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

High-efficiency functionalized dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are next-generation solar photovoltaics owing to low production costs, flexibility, excellent transparency, and sustainable outputs. The structural transformation of photoanode materials promotes the conversion efficiency of DSSCs. DSSCs comprise multiple components i.e., photoanode, sensitizer, electrolyte, and counter electrode. The photoanode (working electrode) is a major component and has two primary functions: to support the loading of the dye and to facilitate the movement of photo-excited charge carriers to the external circuit from the sensitized dye. Two-dimensional (2D) functionalized photoanodes have abundant surface sites and excellent optical and electrical properties. 2D materials are commonly used to reduce the charge recombination efficiency of semiconductor photoanodes because of the formation of suitable interfacial nanochannel sand discrete energy levels. The interaction of organic groups in 2D materials with wide-band-gap semiconductors prevents the recombination process. Photoexcited electron transfer depends on the functional interaction of the 2D functionalized photoanode with the photosensitive dye. Continuous photoexcited transport requires nanochannels on the extended surface of the dye-sensitized photoanode. Beyond graphene-oriented research has reached a maturity phase and requires the additional investigation of advanced 2D materials. In the modern era of 2D materials, particularly Sb2TeSe2 monolayers, black phosphorus 2D materials, MXenes, and transition metal dichalcogenides with fascinating properties have attracted significant research interest to enhance the phenomena in energy, optoelectronics, and electronics applications. Moreover, beyond-graphene advanced 2D layers have introduced a new thrill in research because of their tunable work function, low cost, catalytic effect, and high absorption coefficient. This review focuses on various 2D layer nanostructures that have revolutionized the fields of energy storage, photovoltaics, and conversion science for zero-carbon emissions. Furthermore, 2D materials exhibit relatively high flexibility to tune the functional composition of photoanodes and improve visible-light absorption to achieve a higher photoconversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar photovoltaics.