Optimization of a quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell employing a nanocrystal-polymer composite electrolyte modified with water and ethanol.
A quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell employing a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PEO-PVDF)/TiO2 gel electrolyte modified by various concentrations of water and ethanol is described. It is shown that the introduction of water and ethanol prevents the crystallization of the polymer matrix, and enhances the free I(-)/I(3)(-) concentration and the networks for ion transportation in the electrolyte, thus leading to an improvement in conductivity. A high energy conversion efficiency of about 5.8% is achieved by controlling the additive concentration in the electrolyte. Optimization of the additive-modified electrolyte performance has been obtained by studying the cross-linking behavior of water and ethanol with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and viscosity measurements, and the electrical conduction behavior of the electrolyte with impedance spectra measurements.
Key Laboratory of Acoustic and Photonic Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
Ying
Y
Yang
Cong-Hua
CH
Zhou
Sheng
S
Xu
Jing
J
Zhang
Su-Juan
SJ
Wu
Hao
H
Hu
Bo-Lei
BL
Chen
Qi-Dong
QD
Tai
Zheng-Hua
ZH
Sun
Wei
W
Liu
Xing-Zhong
XZ
Zhao
D004396:Coloring Agents; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012993:Solar Energy; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
D004396:Coloring Agents; D004573:Electrolytes; D000431:Ethanol; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014867:Water; C024865:polyvinylidene fluoride; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers