Merging Biology and Photovoltaics: How Nature Helps Sun-Catching

Abstract

Accomplishing sustainability in optoelectronics, in general, and photovoltaics (PV), in particular, represents a crucial milestone in green photonics. Third generation PV technologies, such as organic solar cells (OSCs), perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have reached a mature age and are slowly making their way in the market as complementary devices to the first generation solar cells. For example, they are well suited for high-end smart applications, like flexible and wearable devices, fully transparent solar cells and windows, and biocompatible devices for medical applications. In this context, major efforts have been conducted to realize easy-to-do and low-cost recycling devices without losing performance level. This has fueled a strong cooperation between engineering, biology, chemistry, and physics fields to discover new strategies for cost-effectiveness preparation and implementation of bio-derived materials in highly performing PVs. The recent efforts of these groups are honored here, providing a general overview on bio-derived materials suitable for PV applications as well as an in-depth revision of the most relevant and recent advances obtained by merging biology and third generation PV technologies.