Alessandro Abbotto and Ottavia Bettucci, in collaboration with Giorgia Salerno, Chiara Liliana Boldrini and Norberto Manfredi from the Department of Materials Science at University of Milano-Bicocca, and Vito Capriati from the University of Bari Aldo Moro, have authored an article in Communications Chemistry (Nature Portfolio, 2025) reporting a record efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on fully sustainable solvents, specifically Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES).
The study, entitled “Advancing dye–DES synergies in dye-sensitized solar cells for improved indoor efficiency and long-term stability under sustainable conditions,” shows that a targeted molecular approach – built on new organic dyes compatible with green and biodegradable solvents – can yield fully sustainable photovoltaic devices with high stability, without the use of volatile or toxic conventional solvents.
Cells fabricated with the new dyes achieved a record efficiency of 9.4% under indoor light (1000 lux), the highest ever reported for DSSC devices employing green-solvent-based electrolytes, while maintaining high operational stability for at least four months.
This breakthrough paves the way for new generations of eco-friendly solar cells, ideally suited to power sensors, IoT devices, and electronic components in indoor environments, with minimal environmental impact.
The article is available open access in Communications Chemistry (Nature Portfolio, 2025, Impact Factor 6.2, Journal Citation Report (Clarivate Analytics, 2024)): https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01821-7