Copper complexes as alternative redox mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Thirty years ago, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a method for harnessing the sun's energy and converting it into electricity. Since then, a lot of work has been dedicated to improving their global photovoltaic efficiency and their eco-sustainability. Recently, various articles showed the great potential of copper complexes as a convenient and cheap alternative to the traditional ruthenium dyes. In addition, copper complexes demonstrate that they can act as redox mediators for DSSCs, thus being an answer to the problems related to the I3-/I- redox couple. The aim of this review is to report on the most recent impact made by copper complexes as alternative redox mediators. The coverage, mainly from 2016 up to now, is not exhaustive, but allows us to understand the great role played by copper complexes in the design of eco-sustainable DSSCs.