Novel silane-substituted benzimidazolium iodide as gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel ionic electrolyte, 3-(iodohexyl)-1-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propylcarbamoyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium iodide (SSBI) was prepared through the reaction of N-[3-(triethoxy-4-silyl)propyl]-1H-benzimidazole-1-carboxamide with 1,6-diiodohexane for the quasi-solidification of the electrolytic solution of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The SSB-containing electrolyte, the sol electrolyte, in a DSSC was converted to a gel by heating it at 60 °C for 30 min in an oven. The DSSC consisting of the gel electrolyte showed a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency comparable to that of the cell with the reference liquid electrolyte, and consistently higher stability than that of the reference cell. The performances of the DSSCs containing the reference, sol and gel electrolytes were discussed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), impedance and chronoamperometric measurements, ionic conductivity, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of a novel alkylimidazolium iodide containing an amide group for electrolyte of dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel alkylimidazolium iodide containing an amide group, 1-(2-hexanamidoethyl)-3-methylimidazol-3-ium iodide (amido-ImI), was synthesized to act as the quasi-solid-state electrolyte of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSC with the amido-ImI electrolyte exhibited short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) and overall energy conversion efficiency (η) that were improved by 7.2% and 10.2%, respectively, compared to those obtained with the cell containing 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide, a commonly used liquid electrolyte, at 100 mW cm⁻². Furthermore, the stability of the DSSC was enhanced by the presence of amido-ImI.     

Oxygenated-graphene-enabled recombination barrier layer for high performance dye-sensitized solar cell

Wide-bandgap multilayer oxygenated graphene (MLOG) is used as the recombination barrier layer (RBL) in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The MLOG is derived from multilayer graphene synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and oxygenated with high density/low power oxygen plasma. We observe 19% improvement in photoconversion efficiency of the DSSC with MLOG RBL, as compared with DSSC without RBL. Lifetime of photo-injected electrons at the conduction band of TiO₂ nanoparticle electrode is increased due to the presence of MLOG. This is attributed to effective collection of electrons at the transparent conductor electrode by suppressing interfacial-recombination via TiO₂ surface states. The control over dark current of the DSSC is also significantly enhanced with MLOG as compared with that without RBL as the direct result of improved interfacial quality of the TiO₂/dye/electrolyte structure.     

Synthesis and characterization of urea-containing imidazolium iodide electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

Novel gel-type ionic salts based on aminopropyl imidazolium iodide (APII) functionalized with urea were synthesized and used as the electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The synthesized APIIs were in a viscous gel state. The electrolytes exhibited the characteristics of an intra- or inter-molecular hydrogen bonding interaction through their urea bonds. The two synthesized electrolytes that contained two urea groups and two imidazolium salts simultaneously (APII-HM2, APII-HP2) were highly viscous and showed relative thermal stability compared to a commercial ionic liquid (IL) of DMII (methylmethylimidazolium iodide; DMII). These new electrolytes were examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and their ionic conductivities and diffusion coefficients were measured. Among the six APIIs, the single urea-containing electrolyte (APII-HP1) exhibited a maximum solar photo-conversion efficiency of 7.31%, which was slightly higher than that of the reference (DMII, 6.59%).     

Lithium iodide effect on the electrochemical behavior of agarose based polymer electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell

The effect of lithium iodide (LiI: 0–85 wt%) on the electrochemical behavior of agarose-based polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) was investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the interactions between polymer matrix and salt and the morphology of the agarose electrolytes, respectively. From the AC impedance spectra study, it was determined that the conduction behavior of the agarose-based polymer electrolyte matches the “salt-in-polymer” like behavior of low LiI content (0–25 wt%) and “polymer-in-salt” like behavior of high LiI content (25–85 wt%). Detailed analysis of characteristic electrochemical processes occurring in DSSC with these agarose electrolytes was also obtained by employing the EIS technique. The impedance spectra showed that the electron lifetime of DSSC was shortened with increasing LiI concentration, while the charge transfer resistance and charge recombination resistance were reduced when LiI concentration was increased.     

Novel chemically cross-linked solid state electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

Poly(vinylpyridine-co-ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) (P(VP-co-MEOMA)) and α,ω-diiodo poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) (I[(EO)_0.8-co-(PO)_0.2]_yI) were synthesized and used as chemically cross-linked precursors of the electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. Meanwhile, α-iodo poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) methyl ether (CH₃O[(EO)_0.8-co-(PO)_0.2]_xI) was synthesized and added into the electrolyte as an internal plasticizer. Novel polymer electrolyte resulting from chemically cross-linked precursors was obtained by the quaterisation at 90 °C for 30 min. The characteristics for this kind of electrolyte were investigated by means of ionic conductivity, thermogravimetric and photocurrent-voltage. The ambient ionic conductivity was significantly enhanced to 2.3 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ after introducing plasticizer, modified-ionic liquid. The weight loss of the solid state electrolyte at 200 °C was 1.8%, and its decomposition temperature was 287 °C. Solid state dye-sensitized solar cell based on chemically cross-linked electrolyte presented an overall conversion efficiency of 2.35% under AM1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm⁻²). The as-fabricated device maintained 88% of its initial performance at room temperature even without sealing for 30 days, showing a good stability.     

A high temperature stable electrolyte system for dye-sensitized solar cells

The effect of the addition of single and binary additives to a mixed solvent, ethylene carbonate + γ-butyrolactone, on the performance of dye-sensitized TiO₂ solar cells (DSSCs) has been investigated. The addition of a single additive, 2-(dimethylamino)-pyridine, to the electrolyte containing an ionic salt, 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide, in the mixed solvent results in an enhancement of the cell performance. The performance of the cell has been further enhanced by the addition of the second additive, 5-chloro-1-ethyl-2-methylimidazole. The resulting DSSC has performed better than the one based on the conventional electrolyte in acetonitrile. The dependence of the stability of the cells on the temperature has been evaluated over the range of 30-120 °C for outdoor applications.     

Influence of iodine concentration on the photoelectrochemical performance of dye-sensitized solar cells containing non-volatile electrolyte

The effect of iodine concentration in the electrolyte with non-volatile solvent of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) on photovoltaic performance was studied. The electron transport and interfacial recombination kinetics were also systematically investigated by electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS). With the iodine concentration increased from 0.025 to 0.1 M, open-circuit voltage (V_oc) and photocurrent density (J_sc) decreased while fill factor (ff) increased significantly. The decline of the V_oc and J_sc was mainly ascribed to increased electron recombination with tri-iodide ions (I₃⁻). The increased fill factor was primarily brought by a decrease in the total resistance. From impedance spectra of the solar cells, it can be concluded that increasing the iodine concentration in electrolytes could decrease charge transfer resistance (R_ct) and the chemical capacitance (C_μ), increase the electron transport resistance (R_t), and hence decrease the electron lifetime (τ) and the effective diffusion coefficient (D_n) of electrons in the TiO₂ semiconductor. With optimum iodine concentration, device showed a photocurrent density of 16.19 mA cm⁻², an open-circuit voltage of 0.765 V, a fill factor of 0.66, and an overall photo-energy conversion efficiency of 8.15% at standard AM 1.5 simulated sunlight (100 mW cm⁻²).     

Novel Zn-Sn-O nanocactus with excellent transport properties as photoanode material for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel chemically stable Zn-Sn-O nanocactus structure has been synthesized for the first time using a hydrothermal method. The Zn-Sn-O nanocactus structure comprises a Zn poor-Zn(2)SnO(4) plate and Zn-doped SnO(2) nanothorns growing on the plate, both of which have high electron mobilities. The nanocactus is used as the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the Zn-Sn-O nanocactus film reaches 2.21%, which is twice the previous reported efficiency of pure SnO(2). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements show that the Zn-Sn-O nanocactus film has a good effective diffusion length and high intrinsic electron mobility. After TiCl(4) treatment of the Zn-Sn-O nanocactus film, the current density increases nearly three times and the PCE increases to 6.62%, which compares favourably with the P25 DSSCs (6.97%) and is much higher than that of the SnO(2) (1.04%) or Zn(2)SnO(4) (3.7%)-based DSSCs.     

Influence of electrolyte co-additives on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

The presence of specific chemical additives in the redox electrolyte results in an efficient increase of the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The most effective additives are 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP), N-methylbenzimidazole (NMBI) and guanidinium thiocyanate (GuNCS) that are adsorbed onto the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface, thus shifting the semiconductor's conduction band edge and preventing recombination with triiodides. In a comparative work, we investigated in detail the action of TBP and NMBI additives in ionic liquid-based redox electrolytes with varying iodine concentrations, in order to extract the optimum additive/I₂ ratio for each system. Different optimum additive/I₂ ratios were determined for TBP and NMBI, despite the fact that both generally work in a similar way. Further addition of GuNCS in the optimized electrolytic media causes significant synergistic effects, the action of GuNCS being strongly influenced by the nature of the corresponding co-additive. Under the best operation conditions, power conversion efficiencies as high as 8% were obtained.     

Gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) and a novel organic iodide salt for quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cell

A gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) as polymer matrix and N-methyl pyridine iodide salt as I⁻ source was prepared. Controlling the concentration of polymer matrix of poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) at 17.5 wt.%, mixing the binary organic solvents mixture ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate with 6:4 (w/w), and the concentration of N-methyl pyridine iodide and iodine with 0.5 and 0.05 M, respectively, the gel polymer electrolyte attains the maximum ionic conductivity (at 30 °C) of 4.63 mS cm⁻¹. Based on the gel polymer electrolyte, a quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated and its overall energy conversion efficiency of light-to-electricity of 3.10% was achieved under irradiation of 100 mW cm⁻².     

Carbon nanotubes-polyethylene oxide composite electrolyte for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Novel carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-polyethylene oxide (PEO) composite electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was prepared and characterized for the first time. The strong bonding and interaction between CNTs and PEO in CNTs-PEO composites was observed by the characterization of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectra. The introduction of CNTs into PEO matrix significantly improved the electrolyte properties of DSSC such as roughness, amorphicity and ionic conductivity. The solid-state DSSC fabricated with the optimum composite electrolyte (added 1% CNTs in PEO matrix, 1%CNT-PEO) achieved maximum conversion efficiency of 3.5%, an open circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.589 V, short circuit current density (J_SC) of 10.64 mA/cm² and fill factor (FF) of 56%. The highest IPCE in the DSSC fabricated with 1%CNT-PEO electrolyte is ascribed to the improved ionic conductivity of composite electrolytes and enhanced interfacial contact between electrode and electrolyte.     

A novel CuI-based iodine-free gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel CuI-based iodine-free gel electrolyte using polyethylene oxide (PEO, MW = 100,000) as plasticizer and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as salt additive was developed for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Such CuI-based gel electrolyte can avoid the problems caused by liquid iodine electrolyte and has relative high conductivity and stability. The effects of PEO and LiClO₄ concentrations on the viscosity and ionic conductivity of the mentioned iodine-free electrolyte, as well as the performance of the corresponding quasi solid-state DSSCs were investigated comparatively. Experimental results indicate that the performance of DSSCs can be dramatically improved by adding LiClO₄ and PEO, and there are interactions (Li⁺–O coordination) between LiClO₄ and PEO, these Li⁺–O coordination interactions have important influence on the structure, morphology and ionic conductivity of the present CuI-based electrolyte. Addition of PEO into the electrolyte can inhibit the rapid crystal growth of CuI, and enhance the ion and hole transportation property owing to its long helix chain structure. The optimal efficiency (2.81%) was obtained for the quasi solid-state DSSC fabricated with CuI-based electrolyte containing 3 wt% LiClO₄ and 20 wt% PEO under AM 1.5 G (1 sun) light illumination, with a 116.2% improvement in the efficiency compared with the cell without addition of LiClO₄, indicating the promising application in solar cells of the present CuI-based iodine-free electrolyte.     

影响染料敏化二氧化钛纳米晶太阳能电池的因素

介绍了染料敏化二氧化钛纳米晶太阳能电池的结构及工作原理,对影响染料敏化太阳能电池性能的因素,如纳米二氧化钛膜的制备、表面修饰、耦合及掺杂或复合,敏化染料与电极表面的吸附、吸收光谱与太阳光谱的匹配、染料的设计合成,以及电解质的研究进展进行了综述。指出染料和电解质的性能是今后发展中的主要制约因素,纳米多孔膜的制备、染料的光电化学反应机理和染料的设计合成、双敏化、固态空穴传输材料替代液体电解质以及纳晶多孔电极与染料间能量传递及电子转移的微观本质等领域是今后的主要研究方向。     

Novel fluoranthene dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Three, novel, fluoranthene-based dyes, 2-cyano-3-(5-(7,12-diphenylbenzo[k]fluoranthen-3-yl)thiophen-2-yl)acrylic acid, 2-(5-((5-(7,12-diphenylben-zo[k]fluoranthen-3-yl)thiophen-2-yl)methylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid and 2-cyano-3-(4-(2-(7,12-diphenylbenzo[k]fluoranthen-3-yl)ethynyl) phenyl) acrylic acid, were synthesized for application as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells. In each dye, the 7,12-diphenyl-benzo[k]fluoranthene moiety acted as electron donor with phenyl and thiophene units as electron spacers and carboxylic acid as electron acceptor. Tuning of the HOMO and LUMO energy levels was conveniently accomplished by changing the spacer and acceptor moiety, as confirmed using electrochemical measurements. Maximum solar energy:electricity conversion efficiency was 4.4% under AM 1.5 solar simulator (100 mW cm^?2) for 2-cyano-3-(5-(7,12-diphenylbenzo[k]fluoranthen-3-yl)thiophen-2-yl)acrylic acid. The results suggest that dyes based on fluoranthene donor are promising candidates for high performance, dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Ferrocene-derivatized ordered mesoporous carbon as high performance counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Ferrocene-derivatized large pore size mesocellular carbon foam (Fe-MCF-C) has been synthesized using divinylbenzene as a carbon source and mesocellular silica foam as a hard template. Cyclic voltammetric studies demonstrate a relatively faster electron transfer rate of Fe-MCF-C in K₃Fe(CN)₆/1 M KNO₃ solution, as compared with pristine mesocellular carbon foam (MCF-C). Such an enhanced electrochemical property is beneficial for improving the cathodic reduction of tri-iodide in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Under 1 sun illumination (100 mW cm⁻², AM 1.5G), Fe-MCF-C counter electrode based DSSC shows an energy conversion efficiency of 7.89%, which is 12% higher than that of solar cell based on pristine MCF-C counter electrode.     

Optimization of the dye-sensitized solar cell performance by mechanical compression

In this study, the P25 titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle (NP) thin film was coated on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate by a doctor blade method. The film then compressed mechanically to be the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Various compression pressures on TiO₂ NP film were tested to optimize the performance of DSSCs. The mechanical compression reduces TiO₂ inter-particle distance improving the electron transport efficiency. The UV–vis spectrophotometer and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to quantify the light-harvesting efficiency and the charge transport impedance at various interfaces in DSSC, respectively. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency was also monitored. The results show that when the DSSC fabricated by the TiO₂ NP thin film compressed at pressure of 279 kg/cm², the minimum resistance of 9.38 Ω at dye/TiO₂ NP/electrolyte interfaces, the maximum short-circuit photocurrent density of 15.11 mA/cm², and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.94% were observed. Compared to the DSSC fabricated by the non-compression of TiO₂ NP thin film, the overall conversion efficiency is improved over 19.5%. The study proves that under suitable compression pressure the performance of DSSC can be optimized.     

Novel photo-crosslinkable polymeric electrolyte system based on poly(ethylene glycol) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate for dye-sensitized solar cell with long-term stability

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) were used as photo-crosslinkable polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). PEG and trifunctional TMPTA formed a crosslinked structure upon light illumination, as confirmed by the solubility test and FTIR spectroscopy. In order to make close contact with the TiO₂ porous film, the polymeric electrolyte was prepared by photo-polymerization after injecting the monomer electrolyte solution into the porous film. The cross-sectional FE-SEM images showed the penetration of the electrolyte into the porous TiO₂ layer. Under AM 1.5 (100 mW/cm²) light irradiation for up to 30 min, a maximum 21% increase in the photo-conversion efficiency (η%) was observed. The electrolyte containing PEG and 20 wt% TMPTA showed a maximum increase in the photo-conversion efficiency from 2.75% to 3.35% with 30 min of light illumination. Also, the DSSCs with the novel crosslinkable PEG/TMPTA based polymer electrolyte showed improved long-term stability in comparison to those with electrolytes containing only PEG.     

An efficient and nonflammable organic phosphate electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

A new fire-retardant, diethyl ethyl phosphate (DEEP), was tested as a nonflammable electrolyte solvent for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the DEEP electrolyte has a wide potential window (>5 V), sufficient ionic conductivity (3.5 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C), and electrochemical activity for the I ^- /I₃ ^- I^{ - } /I_{3}^{ - } redox couple. The DEEP-based DSSCs exhibited an open circuit voltage of 0.72 V, short circuit photocurrent of 10.45 mA cm⁻², and a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 4.53%, which are almost the same as those observed from the DSSCs using currently optimized organic carbonate electrolytes. Meanwhile, the long-term stability of the DSSCs was greatly improved with the use of the DEEP electrolyte, showing a potential application of this new electrolyte for the construction of efficient, stable, and nonflammable DSSCs.     

Membrane-based electrolyte sheets for facile fabrication of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

New electrolyte sheets based on porous polyethylene membranes for flexible dye-sensitized solar cells have been developed. Ionic liquid electrolytes are accommodated in commercial polyethylene membranes to form the electrolyte sheets. The morphology of membranes and iodine concentrations in ionic liquid are varied. The electrochemical measurement results show that the morphology, pore structure, and iodine concentration affect mass transport in electrolyte sheet, as well as charge transfer between platinum electrode and electrolyte sheet greatly. Based on these electrolyte sheets, lamination method instead of conventional vacuum injection of electrolyte is used to fabricate flexible dye-sensitized solar cells. Optimal device with an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.63 V, a fill factor of 0.58, and a short-circuit current density (J_sc) of 6.17 mA cm⁻² at an incident light intensity of 100 mW cm⁻² is obtained, which yields a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 2.25%.