Preparation and Characterization of Novel Polymer-Based Gel Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) or poly(dimethylsiloxane) bis(3-aminopropyl) Copolymers

Abstract

Polymer gel electrolytes based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) (PAB) or poly(dimethylsiloxane) bis(3-aminopropyl)-terminated (PDES-bAP) copolymers were prepared and investigated in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Selected optical and electrochemical properties of all compositions with various ratio from 9:1 to 6:4 were investigated towards DSSC applications. The highest value of power conversion efficiency equal to 5.07% was found for DSSCs containing a PVDF-HPF:PAB (9:1) gel electrolyte. Compositions of electrolytes were additionally tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The influence of the ratio and type of polymers used as an additive to PVDF-HPF on absorption wavelengths, energy gap, and Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) levels were investigated. Individual components of DSSCs, such as the TiO2 layer and platinum nanoparticles, were imaged by scanning electron microscope. Finally, a DSSC module with six electrically separated solar cells with a 7 × 80 mm2 active area was constructed based on gel electrolytes and tested.

Stretchable, Breathable, and Stable Lead‐Free Perovskite/Polymer Nanofiber Composite for Hybrid Triboelectric and Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

“…According to the tendency to gain or lose electrons in the triboelectric series, [62] the electrons will transfer from the Al to the lowest unoccupied molecular level of the PVDF-HFP and then be rapidly captured by the Cs 3 Bi 2 Br 9 perovskite considering the narrow energy level difference between PVDF-HFP and perovskites. [57,63] Compared to other halide perovskites and functional fillers, Cs 3 Bi 2 Br 9 also displays exceptional advantages. As illustrated in Figure 2e, Cs 3 Bi 2 Br 9 shows the best energy level matching with the PVDF-HFP (energy level difference is around 0.3 eV), [57] which is beneficial to the electron transfer between the two materials, while for other materials, such as MAPbBr 3 , [58] FAPbI 3 , [58] rGO, [36] ZnO, [35] and MoS 2 , [37] the energy level difference with PVDF-HFP is over 1 eV, which will inhibit the electron transfer process and increase the charge loss, [38][39][40] posing a negative impact on the electron trapping process.…”

In situ CsPbBr3 architecture engineered in electrospun fibers and its ultrafast charge-transfer dynamics

“…The CsPbBr 3 exhibited conduction band (CB) and valence band (VB) positions ( vs. vacuum) of −3.3 eV and −5.7 eV, respectively; 43 on the other hand, PVDF-HFP is a well-known piezoelectric polymer with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) as −6.13 eV and −2.45 eV, respectively. 44,45 Interestingly, the PVDF-HFP (shell) did not induce any strain over CsPbBr 3 (core) owing to the soft nature of the polymer. Owing to the high band offset of PVDF-HFP polymer, the carrier transfer and delocalization of the carriers from the CsPbBr 3 to PVDF-HFP states could not be held liable.…”

Solar chargers based on new dye-based photovoltaic modules and new supercapacitors

“…The glasses obtained in this way were joined in the lamination process (P.Energy Laminator) using a laminating foil (Surlyn®DuPont ™) with a thickness of 60 µm. The electrical contact between the electrodes was ensured by forcing the gel electrolyte obtained in WITI into the cell chamber, selected as the most effective [12].…”

“…The research used a hybrid supercapacitor with increased capacitance and specific energy in relation to classic electrical double-layer supercapacitors. The charge in the developed module is stored as a result of the coupled mechanism of physical adsorption of electrolyte ions on the surface of porous activated carbon electrodes and as a result of fast (surfacetype) oxidation and reduction reactions of the redox mediator (I − /I 2 /I − n ) present in the solution [3,12]. The module consisted of 126 CR2032 coin cells placed on the PCBs.…”