Basics of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell and Use of Conductive Polymer as Counter Electrode

The photovoltaic technology is an emerging technology nowadays due to increasing energy demands and its low price, simple manufacturing process, environmental friendliness, and comparatively high conversion efficiency. Dye sensitize solar cell (DSSC) a third-generation renewable energy technology device imitates the process of photosynthesis and provides a cost-effective, easy and efficient alternative of solar to conversion of electrical energy. Like other major parts, which affect DSSC efficiency, counter-electrode catalyzes the decrease of redox by collecting electrons from external circuits. There are numerous available materials and methods that have been used to make DSSC counter electrode (CE), which significantly affects DSSC efficiency. In this chapter our focus is to provide comprehensive research on the use of conducting polymer as counter electrode for DSSC by using different synthesis techniques. It includes the use of various types of conducting polymers (CPs) employed as CE of DSSC, a replacement of conventionally used Pt CE through different means by providing an extensive overview of a wide range of techniques used on TCO to manufacture the CE.