Dye-sensitized Devices: Photovoltaic and Photoelectrolytic Applications

Abstract

Dye‐sensitized approach along with stability and surface robustness in titanium dioxide (TiO2) against photocorrosion and degradation has been widely studied and applied in several important applications. This chapter addresses some fundamental issues of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and catalytically active surfaces regarding their structural, optical, and electronic properties, with particular attention to semiconducting titanium dioxide, as a versatile substrate and its functionalization strategies with dyes by chemical anchoring. Light excitation by coordination compounds, anchored to TiO2, can initiate an electron‐transfer process from the sensitizer to titanium dioxide, which ultimately reduces the semiconductor; resulting in a charge separation process which is relevant for solar energy conversion. With actual global energy consumption and dwindling of fossil fuel reserves, it is expected that TiO2‐based nanomaterials take advantage of sunlight, especially in the implementation of DSSCs and photoelectrochemical devices.