Small organic molecule hole transporting materials for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Small organic molecule hole transporting materials for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Issues from thin-film technologies, dye-sensitized solar cells have become one of the most promising technologies in the field of renewable energies. Their success is not only due to their low weight, the possibility of making large flexible surfaces, but also to their photovoltaic efficiency which are found to be more and more significant (12% with a liquid electrolyte, 7% with a solid organic hole conductor). This short review highlights recent advances in the use of low-molecular-weight glass-forming organic materials as hole transporters in all solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. These materials must feature specific physical and chemical properties that will ensure, in one hand the operation of a photovoltaic cell and in other hand, the easiness of processing. As a literature survey, we cite and analyze the characteristics of these new materials.