Use of carbon nanostructures in hybrid photovoltaic devices

This chapter provides an overview of the advantages resulting from the inclusion of carbon nanostructures (CNSs) within the different components of last-generation hybrid photovoltaic (HPV) devices. Among hybrid devices, here only dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered. In particular, the latter have been attracting the attention of researchers for less than a decade, but are extremely promising. In this context, CNSs are employed as auxiliary materials, to boost performances and stabilities, as well as to make production costs even lower. This chapter is indeed focused on carbon nanotubes, graphenebased materials and fullerenes. After briefly recalling the configuration of DSSCs and PSCs and the structures and properties of CNSs, strategies of CNS integration within different components of devices are described. Special attention is drawn to chemical functionalization of CNSs, enabling easier processing and addressing selective interactions with other species. Then, the discussion directs towards the roles played by the different CNS species in HPV cells, highlighting in particular strategies for improving device stability. Indeed the topic recalls nowadays a large attention from the scientific community. Finally, perspectives are indicated for further improvements of performances through the inclusion of CNSs in HPV devices.