UV-cross-linked block copolymers for initiator-free, controlled in situ gelation of electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

Hong, Sung Chul; Uyen, Nguyen Thai Ngoc; Hong, Soo Bong; Kang, Phil‐Hyun

doi:10.1039/c2jm32526h

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…In situ photopolymerization reaction (including in photoinduced polymerization, UV curing, and photopolymerization) is used in the preparation of TSPEs. − ,− In 2001, Matsumoto et al first used a thermosetting polymer electrolyte by photoinduced in situ polymerization of α-methacryloyl-ω-methoxyocta (oxyethylene) at porous TiO 2 film and absorbing liquid electrolyte . The DSSC based on this TSPE with a conductivity of 2.67 mS·cm –1 achieved a conversion efficiency of 2.62%, which was 86.4% of the device efficiency using liquid electrolytes.…”

Section: Quasi-solid-state Electrolytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

et al. 2015

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Section: Quasi-solid-state Electrolytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

et al. 2015

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“…In turn, this influences the ease of device assembly as well as the long-term stability of the solar cell (i.e., a fully cross-linked membrane is usually able to effectively trap the liquid electrolyte for a longer time). 55 Second, the three-dimensional macromolecular network of the membrane material should allow for a relevant electrolyte uptake while ensuring a rapid and nonlimited mass transport of the redox shuttle. This means that an excessively entangled macromolecular structure (both physically and chemically) is expected to lower the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, thus negatively impacting J SC values.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, the extent of cross-linking of the membrane determines its mechanical properties and the handleability of the electrolyte. In turn, this influences the ease of device assembly as well as the long-term stability of the solar cell (i.e., a fully cross-linked membrane is usually able to effectively trap the liquid electrolyte for a longer time) . Second, the three-dimensional macromolecular network of the membrane material should allow for a relevant electrolyte uptake while ensuring a rapid and nonlimited mass transport of the redox shuttle.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lignin-Based Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Sustainable Aqueous Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Haro

Tatsi

Fagiolari

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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In the quest for sustainable materials for quasi-solid-state (QS) electrolytes in aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), novel bioderived polymeric membranes were prepared in this work by reaction of preoxidized kraft lignin with poly(ethylene glycol)diglycidylether (PEGDGE). The effect of the PEGDGE/lignin relative proportions on the characteristics of the obtained membranes was thoroughly investigated, and clear structure–property correlations were highlighted. In particular, the glass transition temperature of the materials was found to decrease by increasing the amount of PEGDGE in the formulation, indicating that polyethylene glycol chains act as flexible segments that increase the molecular mobility of the three-dimensional polymeric network. Concurrently, their swelling ability in liquid electrolyte was found to increase with the concentration of PEGDGE, which was also shown to influence the ionic transport efficiency within the membrane. The incorporation of these lignin-based cross-linked systems as QS electrolyte frameworks in aqueous DSSCs allowed the preparation of devices with excellent long-term stability under UV–vis light, which were found to be superior to benchmark QS-DSSCs incorporating state-of-the-art carboxymethylcellulose membranes. This study provides the first demonstration of lignin-based QS electrolytes for stable aqueous DSSCs, establishing a straightforward strategy to exploit the potential of lignin as a functional polymer precursor for the field of sustainable photovoltaic devices.

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“…This difference is primarily attributed to suppression of back electron transfer through the PGE. Hong et al have induced in situ gelation by UV radiation to discern the effectiveness of a BCP composed of poly( p ‐hydroxystyrene) and poly(ethylene oxide‐ co ‐propylene oxide) as a PGE. This design yields DSSCs possessing relatively high conversion efficiency along with improved long‐term stability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quasi‐Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Containing a Charged Thermoplastic Elastomeric Gel Electrolyte and Hydrophilic/phobic Photosensitizers

et al. 2018

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As the threat of global climate change due to combustion emissions becomes increasingly alarming, the search for clean and sustainable alternative energy is of paramount importance. With this objective in mind, harnessing solar energy is particularly attractive due to ongoing improvements in silicon‐, perovskite‐, and organic‐based solar cells. Of these, dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) constitute a promising technology due to their relatively low cost, moderate conversion efficiency, and robust mechanical properties. An important breakthrough in the development of DSSCs is the use of polymer gel electrolytes. In this work, we employ amphiphilic thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in the form of sulfonated block ionomer (SBI) homologs for this purpose. Since the midblock of each charged copolymer is hydrophilic, the resultant microphase‐separated nanostructures consist of continuous ionic channels that facilitate electron diffusion. A unique characteristic of the SBI archetype studied here is that the morphology can be solvent‐templated. We exploit this feature by introducing either hydrophilic or hydrophobic photosensitizers into the DSSCs. When the SBI exhibits a primarily lamellar morphology, a hydrophilic dye yields the highest efficiency (7.0%), whereas the opposite is observed when the nanostructure consists of a solvent‐templated nonpolar matrix. Photosensitizer tunability is augmented by the intrinsic mechanical and adhesive properties of a TPE.

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UV-cross-linked block copolymers for initiator-free, controlled in situ gelation of electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

Cited by 14 publications

References 50 publications

Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Electrolytes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Lignin-Based Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Sustainable Aqueous Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Quasi‐Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Containing a Charged Thermoplastic Elastomeric Gel Electrolyte and Hydrophilic/phobic Photosensitizers

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