A review on flexible dye-sensitized solar cells as new sustainable energy resources

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs). Design/methodology/approach In the third generation solar cells, glass was used as a substrate, which due to its high weight and fragility, was not possible to produce continuously. However, in flexible solar cells, flexible substrates are used as new technology. The most important thing may choose a suitable substrate to produce a photovoltaic (PV) device with optimal efficiency. Findings Conductive plastics or metallic foils are the two main candidates for glass replacement, each with its advantages and disadvantages. As some high-temperature methods are used to prepare solar cells, metal substrates can be used to prepare PV devices without any problems. In contrast to the advantage of high thermal resistance in metals, metal substrates are dark and do not transmit enough light. In other words, metal substrates have a high loss of photon energy. Like all technologies, PV devices with polymer substrates have technical disadvantages. Practical implications In this study, the development of FDSSCs offers improved photovoltaic properties. Social implications The most important challenge is the poor thermal stability of polymers compared to glass and metal, which requires special methods to prepare polymer solar cells. The second important point is choosing the suitable components and materials for this purpose. Originality/value Dependence of efficiency and performance of the device on the angle of sunlight, high-cost preparation devices components, limitations of functional materials such as organic-mineral sensitizers, lack of close connection between practical achievements and theoretical results and complicated fabrication process and high weight.