Ti₃C₂ MXene-Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Polymer-Based Printable Electrolyte for Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

The liquid electrolyte causes the corresponding leakage and sealing problems in the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Currently, quasi-solid-state polymer-based electrolytes have been reported to effectively improve the leakage and volatilization of traditional liquid electrolytes in DSSCs. In this work, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and the intercalation of MXene/rGO were utilized in the copolymer polyethylene oxide/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) as a printable gel electrolyte for the preparation of quasi-solid-state DSSCs (QS-DSSCs). The effects of different contents of rGO and different ratios of MXene/rGO intercalation on the photoelectric performance of DSSCs were well studied. When the rGO content was 0.5 wt %, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSC was about 7.781%. Specifically, when the ratio of MXene/rGO was 2/1, the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs was greatly enhanced. The corresponding short current density (J sc ), open-circuit voltage (V oc ), fill factor, and PCE were obtained to be 15.170 mA/cm 2 , 0.783 V, 0.695, and 8.255%, respectively. With the intercalation structure between MXene and rGO, the conductivity of electrolytes seemed to be improved through the possible shortening of transmission and diffusion distance of electrolyte ions. The printable electrolyte could achieve an energy conversion efficiency of 29.94% under 1000 lux illumination. A long-term stability (>95%) of QS-DSSCs was also achieved with the composite of MXene/rGO over 1000 h. Finally, this ready screen-printing technology with the electrolyte of the MXene/rGO composite in the copolymer would have great potential for the large-scale manufacture of flexible DSSCs in the future.

Review on Functional Electrolyte, Redox Polymers, and Solar Conversions in 3G Emerging Photovoltaic Technologies: Progress and Outlook

“…Subramanian et al 57 developed functionalized DSSC by incorporating 1D TiO 2 into PVDF-HFP/PMMA copolymer for LiI electrolyte to achieve solar conversion efficiency of 8.08% owing to excellent entrapping of smaller electrolyte cation (Li + ) across copolymer interchain. Wen et al 58 developed 2D-functionalized copolymer (PEO/PVDF-HFP) electrolyte to serge the solar conversion efficiency of 8.26% in DSSC. 2D mixed surface (Ti 3 C 2 -rGO) enhanced electrolyte conductivity and charge transmission between the DSS photoanode and cathode.…”

Comparison of Thin Film Sb 2 Se 3 Solar Cell Device Parameters: with Different Electron Transport Layer

“…Vapour transport deposition (VTD) was used to deposit Sb 2 Se 3 lm and its orientation in 2018 to enhance carrier transport and e ciency. The most e cient Sb 2 Se 3 nanorod arrays on a Mo electrode were created in 2019 using the CSS method [17].…”

Low Cost and Strongly Adsorbed Melamine Formaldehyde Sponge Electrolyte for Nontraditional Quasi-Solid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…To improve the stability and sustainability of DSSCs, scientists have developed different types of quasi-solid electrolytes, − new redox electric pairs , (based on metal complexes or organic compounds), or new solvents to dissolve electrolytes . Our research group reported a new type of quasi-solid electrolyte composited with SiO 2 aerogel and graphene (GR), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, or polyaniline.…”