Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell: Improved performance and stability using a plasticized polymer electrolyte

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Vol. 181; no. 2; pp. 226 - 232
• Main Authors: Nogueira, Viviane C., Longo, Claudia, Nogueira, Ana Flávia, Soto-Oviedo, Mauro A., Paoli, Marco-A. De
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 31.07.2006
• Subjects: Ionic conductivity; Plasticizer; Polymer electrolyte; Solid-state dye-sensitized TiO 2 solar cell; Stability; Polymer electrolyte; Plasticizer; Stability; Solid-state dye-sensitized TiO 2 solar cell; Ionic conductivity
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2005.11.028

The addition of the plasticizer poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether to the polymer electrolyte based on poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide), NaI and I 2 increased the ionic conductivity by one order of magnitude (1.7 × 10 −4 S cm −1) without compromising its electrochemical, thermal and dimensional stabilities. The plasticized polymer electrolyte presented an estimated diffusion coefficient of 2 × 10 −6 cm −2 s −1, ca. five times higher than the diffusion coefficient estimated for the polymer electrolyte without plasticizer. Solid-state dye-sensitized TiO 2 solar cells (1 cm 2) were assembled with the plasticized polymer electrolyte and presented an open circuit potential of 0.64 V, short-circuit current of 0.60 mA cm −2 and an energy conversion efficiency of 1.75% under light intensity of 10 mW cm −2. This efficiency remained unchanged for 30 days, showing that cell efficiency and stability can be improved using a plasticized polymer electrolyte.