Application of gel electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

The volatility of liquid electrolytes has been a major problem for their application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). In this study, liquid electrolyte was replaced by polymer based gel electrolyte. Polyvinyl alcohol is chosen as the polymeric matrix to gelate the liquid electrolyte with iodide-triiodide redox couple and suitable organic solvent. The amorphous nature and the physical cross linking formed between polymerpolymer and polymer-solvent is analyzed from XRD and FT-IR. Cell was fabricated and characterization was done. I-V and EIS measurements of the cell was taken. Easy fabrication and its advantages over liquid electrolyte makes gel electrolyte a promising alternative for liquid electrolyte.