Polypyrrole- and polyaniline-surface modified nanosilica as quasi-solid state electrolyte ingredients for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

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.

Plasma Oscillation Behavior and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Carbon Nanofibers/Conductive Polymer Metacomposites at Radarwave Frequency

“…The positions of these peaks are almost consistent with other literatures. [32][33][34] Moreover, these peaks indicate that the CNFs/PPy and CNFs/PANI composites have been successfully prepared. The addition of CNFs does not affect either position or shape of the peaks, suggesting that CNFs do not chemically bond with PPy and PANI.…”

Enhancing the Efficiency of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on a Metal Oxide Nanocomposite Gel Polymer Electrolyte

“…Indeed, the spontaneous assembly of blended and block co-polymers into a variety of nanoscale morphologies can naturally facilitate ionic conduction in PAN-based GPEs . Weak binding interactions of salt additives with functional groups on the ion-conducting polymer component of these GPEs can also improve device performance by maintaining a low conduction band edge in TiO 2 -based DSSCs. ,, Likewise, the introduction of nanomaterial additives such as metal oxides, − mesoporous particles, , nanoclays, − and carbon nanomaterials − at low (e.g., <5 wt %) concentrations has been proven to augment ionic conductivity in nanocomposite GPEs, primarily through the formation of a conductive network that spans the polymer matrix. Metal oxide nanoparticles (e.g., TiO 2 , ZnO, NiO, Co 3 O 4 , Fe 2 O 3 , etc.)…”