Solid state metal-free eosin-Y dye sensitized solar cell based on PVdF-HFP electrolytes: combined effect of surface modified TiO2 and plasticizer on electrochemical and photovoltaic properties

Abstract

The hybrid polymer nanocomposites based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexaflouro propylene) (PVdF-HFP) as a host matrix, propylene carbonate as the plasticizer, and surface modified and unmodified TiO 2 nanoparticles as fillers for dye-sensitized solar cell applications have been prepared using a solvent casting technique. The surface of TiO 2 was modified using aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS), and its organic functional groups on TiO 2 were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The PVdF-HFP membranes were characterized by FTIR, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), atomic force microscopic (AFM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic techniques. It was found a new interaction of APS molecules on TiO 2 surface with matrix as well as electrolyte salt. The experimental observations indicated a noticeable improvement in ionic conductivity of modified TiO 2 of about 6.7×10 −4 S/cm when compared with unmodified counterpart (TiO 2 ) as the filler within PVDF-HFP matrix. The solid state dye-sensitized solar cell has been fabricated by using silanemodified TiO 2 /PVdF-HFP nanocomposite electrolyte and eosin-Y as sensitizer, and its photoconversion efficiency is measured about 1.47 %.

Effects of TiO2 and TiC Nanofillers on the Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Based on the Polymer Gel Electrolyte of a Cobalt Redox System

“…For the FTIR analysis, the spectra with and without the NFs (shown in Figure S2) are very similar, indicating that the interactions of the PVDF-HFP chains are not affected significantly by the presence of the two NFs. These results are contrary to what has been reported in the literature 44 which is ascribed to the lower addition amount (3 wt %) of the NFs in this work. Apparently, the crystallization inhibition is not the major effect of the NFs leading to the conductivity increase of the PGEs.…”

Effect of sol–gel synthesized Al0.1Zr0.9O1.95nanoparticles and PVP on PVDF-based separators in lithium-ion battery performance: The RSM study

“…The beginning of degradation for neat PVDF and optimized separator was around 235 C and 315 C, respectively, which might be due to the heat-shielding effect of NPs. 41,42 The porosity and electrolyte uptakes of optimal separator were increased from 41% to 57% and 246% to 384%, respectively, compared to the pure PVDF separator. Figure 8 shows the water contact angles of the resulting separators.…”

Review on the Revolution of Polymer Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…The effects of unmodified TiO 2 (U-TiO 2 ) and silane modification of TiO 2 (S-TiO 2 ) have been reported by Prabakarn group. 176,177 The melting enthalpy of polymer electrolytes decreased marginally with a plasticizer (PC), U-TiO 2 , and S-TiO 2 nanoparticles. Silane-modified TiO 2 nanoparticles have increased the amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte, resulting in better DSSC performance.…”