title: POSS-Based Electrolyte for Efficient Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells at Sub-Zero Temperatures.
abstract: To expand the application of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs) to low temperatures, it is necessary to develop new solid electrolytes with low glass transition temperature (Tg). The Tg is regulated by varying the length of alkyl chain that is connected with the nitrogen atom in the imidazolium ring linked to the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The Tg as low as -8.8 °C is achieved with the POSS grafted with methyl-substituted imidazolium. The effect of alkyl group on the conductivity, Tg, and photovoltaic performance has also been investigated. The conductivity and power conversion efficiency increase with the alkyl length, while the Tg first increases and then decreases with the alkyl length. Among the synthesized POSS-based ionic conductors, the POSS grafted with the methyl-substituted imidazolium yields the highest power conversion efficiency of 6.98% at RT due to its highest conductivity, and the efficiency (6.52%) is still good at -4 °C, as its Tg (-8.8 °C) is lower than the working temperature (-4 °C). This finding suggests that the POSS-based solid electrolyte is promising for subzero-temperature applications of ssDSSCs.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Lab of Advanced Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University , 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Lv
authors: Department of Chemistry, Lab of Advanced Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University , 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Chemistry, Lab of Advanced Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University , 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Chemistry, Lab of Advanced Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University , 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
authors: Zhong-Sheng
authors: ZS
authors: Wang
keywords: POSS; alkyl length effect; dye-sensitized solar cells; low temperature operation; solid-state electrolyte