Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Polymer Gel Electrolyte and Triphenylamine-Based Organic Dyes

Abstract

We report on the application of a poly(methyl acrylate)/poly(ethylene glycol)-based polymer gel electrolyte and triphenylamine-based metal-free organic dyes in quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. The poly(methyl acrylate)/poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid is beneficial to the entrapment of a large volume of liquid electrolyte. At 25 degrees C, the ionic conductivity and the triiodide ionic diffusion constant of the as-prepared polymer gel electrolyte are 2.1 mS cm(-1) and 2.3 x 10(-6) cm(2) s(-1), respectively. The quasi-solid-state solar cell sensitized by triphenylamine-based dyes attains an overall energy conversion efficiency of 5.76% at a light intensity of 30 mW cm(-2). The presence of poly(ethylene glycol) in the electrolyte obviously increases the conductivity and energy conversion efficiency compared to that without poly(ethylene glycol).

Fabrication of Stable Dye Sensitized Solar Cell with Gel electrolytes Using Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(ethylene glycol)

“…Different types of polymers and co-polymers have been used as gelators such as, [21]. In addition, to improve the interfacial properties and ionic conductivity of gel electrolytes, inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles such as TiO2 as fillers were incorporated within the PGEs and a photoconversion efficiency of 9.46% higher than that of liquid electrolyte was achieved [22]. Application of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a gelator for the liquid electrolyte is limited because of its high crystallinity and insulating nature [23].…”

Structure-property relationships of organic dyes with D-π-A structure in dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Organic dyes have been extensively investigated for application in DSSCs, and a lot of organic dyes with a D-π-A structure, including many other dyes [65][66][67][68][69][70][71] that are not present in this review, have been developed by means of wise molecular design and synthesis. Great success has been achieved, with efficiency improving smoothly over the past 10 years.…”

Ionic Liquid Enhancement of Polymer Electrolyte Conductivity and their Effects on the Performance of Electrochemical Devices

“…IL is often used in devices as electrolyte, but fabrication of devices using liquid electrolytes (LEs) is difficult. LEs are volatile and may leak [24,25]. This will cause the electrode to corrode and the dye to decompose in the medium [26,27].…”

“…Electrolyte-photoanode and electrolyte-cathode contacts were also improved. This will also contribute to improve efficiency of the DSSCs [25,40]. Gel electrolyte is also an alternative to replace solid electrolytes in DSSC.…”