Modification of DSSC Based on Polymer Composite Gel Electrolyte with Copper Oxide Nanochain by Shape Effect

Abstract

Solvent evaporation and leakage of liquid electrolytes that restrict the practicality of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) motivate the quest for the development of stable and ionic conductive electrolyte. Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) fits the criteria, but it still suffers from low efficiency due to insufficient segmental motion within the electrolytes. Therefore, incorporating metal oxide nanofiller is one of the approaches to enhance the performance of electrolytes due to the presence of cross-linking centers that can be coordinated with the polymer segments. In this research, polymer composite gel electrolytes (PCGEs) employing poly (vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VB-co-VA-co-VAc)) terpolymer as host polymer, tetrapropylammonium iodide (TPAI) as dopant salt, and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles as the nanofillers were produced. The CuO nanofillers were synthesized by sonochemical method and subsequently calcined at different temperatures (i.e., 200, 350, and 500 °C), denoted as CuO-200, CuO-350, and CuO-500, respectively. All CuO nanoparticles have different shapes and sizes that are connected in a chain which impact the amorphous phase and the roughness of the surface, proven by the structural and the morphological analyses. It was found that the PCGE consisting of CuO-350 exhibited the highest ionic conductivity of 2.54 mS cm−1 and apparent diffusion coefficient of triiodide of 1.537 × 10−4 cm2 s−1. The enhancement in the electrochemical performance of the PCGEs is correlated with the change in shape (rod to sphere) and size of CuO particles which disrupted the structural order of the polymer chain, facilitating the redox couple transportation. Additionally, a DSSC was fabricated and achieved the highest power conversion efficiency of 7.05% with JSC of 22.1 mA cm−2, VOC of 0.61 V, and FF of 52.4%.

Hybrid polymer gels for energy applications

“…The low efficiency in PGEs probably causes difficulty in the segmental motion of the polymer and introducing metal oxide nanofiller can enhance the PCE for its cross-linking centers, which coordinate with polymer segments. In this context, Farhana et al 50 , used an HPGE of a terpolymer poly(vinyl butyral- co -vinyl alcohol- co -vinyl acetate) (P(VB- co -VA- co -VAc)), tetrapropylammonium iodide (TPAI), and copper oxide (CuO) NPs where NPs becomes connected in the chain altering the amorphous phase and roughness of the surface disrupting the structural order of polymer chain, thus enabling easy redox couple transportation showing highest PCE 7.05%. Very recently Jana and coworkers published a review article on DSSCs highlighting some uses of GPE increasing the stability of the devices along with polymer and semiconductor electrolytes.…”

Review on Functional Electrolyte, Redox Polymers, and Solar Conversions in 3G Emerging Photovoltaic Technologies: Progress and Outlook

“…The nanostructured shape selective filler can enhance the redox activity due to proper interconnection and absorption of electrolyte dense anion. , Nanofiller enables energy barrier into active electrolyte for recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte interface . The shape selective nanoparticle reduces not only the extent of composite interaction between polymer chains but also resist the local crystallization effect into polymer network .…”

“…21 CuO-based P(VB-co-VAco-VAc) gel electrolyte yield dye-sensitized solar efficiency of 7.05%. 22 Nanoparticles free electrolytes have lower efficiency than composite. Composite interactions improve mechanical degradation, mobilization, and durability of electrolyte and would be better substitute to replace liquid electrolyte.…”

“…53 Recently, an N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluoren-2-amine-functionalized poly(N-vinylcarbazole) dopant free polymer has been reported for high charge mobility in PSSC with 18.44% efficiency. 54 Oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized PTAA-based PSSC yielded a solar conversion efficiency of 22.26%. 55 The functional reactivity and rapid redox behavior of the nitroxide radicals cause expansion of the charge diffusion, electrode reaction kinetics, and photovoltaic reaction.…”

“…The multiple functionalities of polymer chain interconnect with the dye and suppress the back electron transfer . CuO-based P­(VB- co -VA- co -VAc) gel electrolyte yield dye-sensitized solar efficiency of 7.05% . Nanoparticles free electrolytes have lower efficiency than composite.…”