Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The block layer situated between the active material and electrode in photoelectrochemical devices serves as a critical component for performance enhancement. Using dye-sensitized solar cells as a representative model, this review systematically examines the strategic positioning and material select...

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Main Authors: Youqing Wang, Wenxuan Wu, Peiling Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Inorganics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/13/4/103
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author Youqing Wang
Wenxuan Wu
Peiling Ren
author_facet Youqing Wang
Wenxuan Wu
Peiling Ren
author_sort Youqing Wang
collection DOAJ
description The block layer situated between the active material and electrode in photoelectrochemical devices serves as a critical component for performance enhancement. Using dye-sensitized solar cells as a representative model, this review systematically examines the strategic positioning and material selection criteria of block layers following a concise discussion of their fundamental mechanisms. We categorize block layer architectures into three distinct configurations: single layer, doped layer, and multilayer structures. The electron generation and transport mechanisms to photoelectrodes are analyzed through structural design variations across these configurations. Through representative literature examples, we demonstrate the correlation between material properties and photoconversion efficiency, accompanied by comprehensive performance comparisons. In the single-layer section, we comparatively evaluate the merits and limitations of TiO<sub>2</sub>- and ZnO-based block layers. The doped layer discussion traces the evolutionary trajectory from single-dopant systems to co-doping strategies. For multilayer architectures, we elaborate on the flexibility of its functional regulation. Finally, we present a forward-looking perspective on the hot issues that need to be urgently addressed in photoelectrochemical device block layers.
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spelling doaj-art-d12b2c2ab66449b4ac1eb83c74f28c052025-08-20T03:13:45ZengMDPI AGInorganics2304-67402025-03-0113410310.3390/inorganics13040103Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar CellsYouqing Wang0Wenxuan Wu1Peiling Ren2Research Center for Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaResearch Center for Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaResearch Center for Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaThe block layer situated between the active material and electrode in photoelectrochemical devices serves as a critical component for performance enhancement. Using dye-sensitized solar cells as a representative model, this review systematically examines the strategic positioning and material selection criteria of block layers following a concise discussion of their fundamental mechanisms. We categorize block layer architectures into three distinct configurations: single layer, doped layer, and multilayer structures. The electron generation and transport mechanisms to photoelectrodes are analyzed through structural design variations across these configurations. Through representative literature examples, we demonstrate the correlation between material properties and photoconversion efficiency, accompanied by comprehensive performance comparisons. In the single-layer section, we comparatively evaluate the merits and limitations of TiO<sub>2</sub>- and ZnO-based block layers. The doped layer discussion traces the evolutionary trajectory from single-dopant systems to co-doping strategies. For multilayer architectures, we elaborate on the flexibility of its functional regulation. Finally, we present a forward-looking perspective on the hot issues that need to be urgently addressed in photoelectrochemical device block layers.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/13/4/103photoelectrochemicaldye-sensitized solar cellsblock layertitanium dioxidecharge recombination
spellingShingle Youqing Wang
Wenxuan Wu
Peiling Ren
Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Inorganics
photoelectrochemical
dye-sensitized solar cells
block layer
titanium dioxide
charge recombination
title Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
title_full Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
title_fullStr Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
title_full_unstemmed Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
title_short Classification, Functions, Development and Outlook of Photoanode Block Layer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
title_sort classification functions development and outlook of photoanode block layer for dye sensitized solar cells
topic photoelectrochemical
dye-sensitized solar cells
block layer
titanium dioxide
charge recombination
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/13/4/103
work_keys_str_mv AT youqingwang classificationfunctionsdevelopmentandoutlookofphotoanodeblocklayerfordyesensitizedsolarcells
AT wenxuanwu classificationfunctionsdevelopmentandoutlookofphotoanodeblocklayerfordyesensitizedsolarcells
AT peilingren classificationfunctionsdevelopmentandoutlookofphotoanodeblocklayerfordyesensitizedsolarcells