Photovoltaic device working mechanism

As mentioned earlier, the DSSC is a very attractive and promising device for solar cell applications that has been intensively investigated worldwide, and its photovoltaic mechanism has also intensively investigated [11-20]. Moreover, commercial applications of the DSSC have been under investigation. In this chapter, we describe the DSSC, including its component materials, structure, working mechanism, efficient preparation procedure, current researches, and long-term stabilities. We also introduce the subjects for improvement of its performance and commercial applications. 

Conjugated conducting polymers, not new to the field of electrochromics, have experienced a surge of interest for their applications in electrochromic displays and windows in the past decade. Yet, much recent work has focused on utilization of these materials in areas outside the typical display/window device, such as the previously mentioned mechanical actuators, LEDs, photovoltaics, capacitors, and antistatic coatings. Meanwhile, the field of electrochromics of conducting polymers sees the introduction of new polymers with ever-improving physical properties, such as processability and environmental stability, in a wide range of colors and spectral properties. 

A similar approach was achieved by other groups (Kumar and Kim, 2012) in reporting hybrid devices of photovoltaic and piezoelectric that improve the transportation of electrons and energy harvesting. Controlled ZnO nanostructures in various complex nanoarchitectures improve charge collection. Solar and mechanical energies are utilized in this case because they can work in the absence of either solar or mechanical energy. 

---