Enhancing the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells by incorporating nanosilicate platelets in gel electrolyte

摘要: Abstract Two kinds of gel-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), composed two types electrolytes, were constructed and the respective cell performance was evaluated in this study. One electrolyte, TEOS-Triton X-100 gel, based on a hybrid organic/inorganic gel electrolyte made by sol–gel method other poly(vinyidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF-HFP) copolymer. reticulate structure silica, formed hydrolysis, condensation tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), while its organic subphase mixture surfactant (Triton X-100) ionic liquid electrolytes. Both DSSC electrolytes iodine, 1-propy-3-methyl-imidazolium iodide, 3-methoxypropionitrile to create redox couple I 3 − /I . Based results obtained from – V characteristics, it found that optimal iodine concentrations for PVDF-HFP are 0.05 M 0.1 M, respectively. Although increase concentration could enhance short-circuit current density ( J SC ), further would reduce due increased dark current. Therefore, 2 is significant factor determining DSSCs. In order performance, addition nanosilicate platelets (NSPs) above-mentioned investigated. By incorporating NSP-Triton into decrease diffusion resistance, open circuit voltage OC ) remained almost same. As loading 0.5 wt%, conversion efficiency 8.5 12 mA/cm 3.6% 4.7%, However, decreased as exceeded 0.5 wt%. At higher loading, NSPs acted barrier interface between dye molecules, hindering electron transfer, hence, reducing cell's photocurrent density. The same behavior also observed system.