Nanocrystalline electrochemical solar cells

Standard solar cells exploit the physics of semiconductors in which the energy of absorbed photons excites charge-carrier pairs which are subsequently separated by the influence of a solid state junction to provide a photovoltage. In the nanocrystalline electrochemical cell, the optical absorber is a dye monolayer which after photo-excitation injects electrons into a semiconductor substrate, with charge neutrality being restored by a chemical redox reaction. The circuit is completed through an electrolyte and a metallic counterelectrode. Present performance, industrial engagement in research and development and commercial prospects are presented.