Scattering-layer-induced energy storage function in polymer-based quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Photo-self-charging cells (PSCs) are compact devices with dual functions of photoelectric conversion and energy storage. By introducing a scattering layer in polymer-based quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells, two-electrode PSCs with highly compact structure were obtained. The charge storage function stems from the formed ion channel network in the scattering layer/polymer electrolyte system. Both the photoelectric conversion and the energy storage functions are integrated in only the photoelectrode of such PSCs. This design of PSC could continuously output power as a solar cell with considerable efficiency after being photo-charged. Such PSCs could be applied in highly-compact mini power devices. V C 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4914585] Hybridization of photoelectric conversion and energy storage functions in devices has attracted great attentions in recent years due to the increasing demand of renewable energy around the world and the miniaturization and multifunctionalization in electronics industry.1-13 Typically, such photo-self-charging cells (PSCs) consist of two independent sections, a solar cell and a supercapacitor/lithium ion battery. Thus, there were three electrodes in these PSCs.1-7 Another type of PSCs could be regarded as simplex devices, since they contain only two electrodes: One is for solar energy conversion (photoelectrode) and the other is for energy storage (counter electrode, CE). [8][9][10][11][12][13] Traditional two-electrode PSCs could not provide continuous power output after being fully charged under steady illumination, since the photogenerated charges are depleted to charge the energy storage section. [8][9][10] In our previous work, a new type of twoelectrode PSC based on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was reported with both good photo-to-electric conversion efficiency (g) and energy storage capacity via introducing composited ZnO/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanostructure in CE. 12 The polymer/nanostructured oxide system could possess energy storage capability while allowing the passage of carriers through the structure. The energy storage performance of PSCs depends heavily on the functionalization of CEs. So far, all PSCs rely on functionalized CEs for energy storage. In this study, we realized even more compact two-electrode PSCs by integrating both the solar energy conversion and the energy storage functions to the photoelectrode. Polymer-based DSSCs are one kind of popular quasi-solid-state DSSCs owing to their excellent characteristics such as easy fabrication, low cost, good stability, and flexibility.14-20 Although scattering layer is not usually applied in such cells due to the reduction of electron transport, our findings show that adding a scattering layer of large TiO 2 nanoparticles in a polymer-based quasi-solid-state DSSCs could form scattering layer/polymer matrix structure for energy storage. There was no additional structure for energy storage on the CE of such PSC. Experimental results showed that such PSC could operate a...

Electroactive and High Dielectric Folic Acid/PVDF Composite Film Rooted Simplistic Organic Photovoltaic Self-Charging Energy Storage Cell with Superior Energy Density and Storage Capability

“…Hence, a sincere pursuit to harness this reliable and affordable light energy source by photoelectric conversion and to develop simultaneous energy storage systems in order to facilitate the world power consumption is today’s sole concern. , Electrochemical reactions occurring between two electrodes and electrolyte interfaces using different inorganic combinations rule the vastly studied energy storage systems like Li-ion batteries − and supercapacitors. − However, a majority of these devices require external voltage source for their charging. Various two-electrode photo-self-charging cells (PSCs) based on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) − and quantum dot solar cells are also in the current chaos, but energy harvesting implementing a dye source as a photon absorber and biopolymer FA doped PVDF based high dielectric organic material as an energy storage system is not reported to the best of our extensive studies. Our fabricated device is a cost-effective simplistic endeavor for lightweight, biocompatible, and two-electrode self-charging energy storage systems which involve no external electrical biasing.…”

Photo‐Supercapacitors Based on Third‐Generation Solar Cells

“…The low charging voltage (90 mV) and poor PCE (3.7 %) clearly hampered its application, despite the PVDF thickness being optimized to 25 nm . Furthermore, the authors also equipped DSSCs with an energy storage function by directly using the polymer matrix as an electrolyte, so that the recombination path of redox systems were blocked and a highly compact structure was achieved for the two‐electrode PS …”

“…[14b] Furthermore, the authors also equipped DSSCs with an energy storage function by directly using the polymer matrix as an electrolyte, so that the recombination path of redox systemsw ere blocked and ah ighly compacts tructure was achieved for the two-electrode PS. [15] Recently,K hatune tal. fabricatedahighly capacitivep hotocharged integrated device by in situ growth of SrF 2 NPs within the PVDF matrix.…”

N719 and N3 dyes for quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells - A comparative study using polyacrylonitrile and CsI based electrolytes

“…It has to be noted that this meso-porous nature of the film is important for the efficient dye adsorption due to increased effective surface area of the TiO 2 photo-anode, which finally contributes to increase the short circuit photocurrent and enhance the efficiency. The larger particle size of TiO 2 layers in the 2 nd layer could enhance the back-scattering light effectively and increase the photocurrent (Jeng et al, 2013;Zhang and Jianga, 2015). The presence of the compact-spin coated layer in TiO 2 photo anode is important to scatter the light, to provide efficient electron percolation towards FTO from the porous TiO 2 layer and also to prevent internal short circuiting.…”