Photopolymers for Third-generation Solar Cells

Third-generation solar cells represent the most concrete possibility for converting solar light into electricity while trying to maintain the low manufacturing costs of the panels. Dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer-based organic solar cells and perovskite solar cells are currently the most widely used by the scientific community. These devices are substantially based on hybrid or polymeric materials that act as semiconductors and exciton carriers. Photopolymers play a key role in these energy systems, indeed representing an important and versatile material science platform for the preparation of various solar cell components. They can be exploited in different applications, including polymer electrolytes, barriers against moisture or harmful UV light, and light management coatings. Additionally, process speed and easy industrial scalability make photopolymerization an ideal technique for third-generation photovoltaics. In this chapter, an overview of the most recent examples of the use of photopolymer systems in the field of photovoltaics is presented, with a specific focus on dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer-based organic photovoltaics and perovskite solar cells.