Nanostructured SnO2 photoanode-based dye-sensitized solar cells

This review focuses on recent developments in the nanostructured SnO2 photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs)applications.Carefully designed and fabricated nanostructured SnO2films are advantageous for effective improvement in performance of DSSCs.Nanocrystals can offer a large surface area for dye adsorption;nanowires are able to provide a direct transfer pathway for the rapid collection of photogenerated electrons;the mesoporous,monodisperse beads with a submicrometer-sized diameter ensure a large specific surface area for dye adsorption and simultaneously promote light scattering;the surface modification of SnO2by other oxides may improve the photovoltage and photocurrent,hence resulting in the higher power conversion efficiency of SnO2-based DSSCs.