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Nanosilica was surface modified with polyaniline and incorporated into polyurethane to form a polymer matrix capable of entrapping a liquid electrolyte and functioning as quasi-solid-state electrolyte in the dye-sensitized solar cells. The effect on the S−PANi distribution, surface morphology, thermal stability, gel content, and structural change after varying the PEG molecular weight of the polyurethane matrix was analyzed. Quasi-solid-state electrolytes were prepared by immersing the polyurethane matrix into a liquid electrolyte and the polymer matrix absorbency, conductivity, and ion diffusion were investigated. The formulated quasi-solid-state electrolytes were applied in dye-sensitized solar cells and their charge recombination, photovoltaic performance, and lifespan were measured. The quasi-solid-state electrolyte with a PEG molecular weight of 2000 gmol−1 (PU−PEG 2000) demonstrated the highest light-to-energy conversion efficiency, namely, 3.41%, with an open-circuit voltage of 720 mV, a short-circuit current of 4.52 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 0.63.

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Polyurethane nanocomposites were formulated to entrap liquid electrolyte for quasi-solidstate electrolytes (QSEs) in dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Polypyrrole-and polyaniline-surface engineered silica nanoparticles (NPs) were each incorporated to form polyurethane nanocomposites. The formation of nanosilica and its surface modification, as well as the size, aggregation, and isoelectric point of the synthesized NPs were analyzed using ATR-FTIR, TEM, and DLS. In addition, the filler (silica)-matrix (polyurethane) interaction, NP distribution, surface morphology, surface porosity, and the thermal stability of the polyurethane nanocomposite were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, transmitted and reflected light microscopes, ImageJ, and TGA. The polymer matrix absorptivity, conductivity, and ion diffusion of the polyurethane nanocomposite-based QSE was investigated by using a digital analytical balance, the AC impedance method, and the cyclic voltammetry. Lastly, all of the formulated QSEs were applied in DSSCs and their photovoltaic performance was measured. The QSE based on polyaniline surface engineered nanosilica demonstrated the highest light-to-energy conversion efficiency, namely 3.10%, with an open circuit voltage of 715 mV, a short circuit current of 3.88 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 0.67. A reasonable lifespan stability was also found for 100 min illumination and a corresponding efficiency of 2.47% obtained.

Polyaniline‐surface modified nanosilica (S‐PANi) was incorporated into polyurethane (PU) to form a polymer matrix able to entrap liquid electrolyte and to function as a quasi‐solid state electrolyte (QSE) in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Nanosilica was first synthesized via sol–gel technique and was post modified with aniline to form S‐PANi. The effects of introducing different S‐PANi content (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) on the nanoparticle distribution, surface morphology, surface porosity, thermal stability, and the structure of the PU matrix were analyzed using transmitted and reflected light microscopes, TGA and X‐ray powder diffraction. Additionally, polymer matrix absorptivity, conductivity, and ion diffusion of the formulated QSEs were investigated by using a digital analytical balance, the AC impedance method, and cyclic voltammetry. Lastly, all of the formulated quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes were applied for use in DSSCs wherein their charge recombination, photovoltaic performance, and lifespan were measured. The quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte based on 15 wt% S‐PANi (PU‐15%S‐PANi) exhibited the highest light‐to‐energy conversion efficiency, namely 3.17%, with an open circuit voltage of 708 mV, a short circuit current of 4.13 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 0.65.