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An Investigation on Gel-State Electrolytes for Solar Cells Sensitized with β-Substituted Porphyrinic Dyes. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11020463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of a liquid electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is known to limit the time stability of these devices due to leakage and evaporation phenomena. To overcome this issue, gel-state electrolytes may represent a good solution in order to maintain stability and good performances, albeit at lower costs. In the present work, two different kinds of gel-electrolytes, based on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and nanoclay agents, were investigated in DSSC-devices sensitized using β-substituted Zn-porphyrins (namely ZnPC4 and ZnPC12) with enveloping alkoxy chains of different lengths, able to produce a coverage of the photoanode surface. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) values equal to 1.06 ± 0.04% and 1.55 ± 0.26% were obtained for ZnPC12 (with longer alkoxy chains) with PMMA- and nanoclay-based electrolytes respectively. The properties of the photoanode/electrolyte interface as well as the influence of the gelling agents on the final properties of the obtained devices were thoroughly characterized.
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Abu Hassan Shaari H, Ramli MM, Mohtar MN, Abdul Rahman N, Ahmad A. Synthesis and Conductivity Studies of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) by Co-Polymerization and Blending with Polyaniline (PANi). Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1939. [PMID: 34207932 PMCID: PMC8230699 DOI: 10.3390/polym13121939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a lightweight insulating polymer that possesses good mechanical stability. On the other hand, polyaniline (PANi) is one of the most favorable conducting materials to be used, as it is easily synthesized, cost-effective, and has good conductivity. However, most organic solvents have restricted potential applications due to poor mechanical properties and dispersibility. Compared to PANi, PMMA has more outstanding physical and chemical properties, such as good dimensional stability and better molecular interactions between the monomers. To date, many research studies have focused on incorporating PANi into PMMA. In this review, the properties and suitability of PANi as a conducting material are briefly reviewed. The major parts of this paper reviewed different approaches to incorporating PANi into PMMA, as well as evaluating the modifications to improve its conductivity. Finally, the polymerization condition to prepare PMMA/PANi copolymer to improve its conductivity is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helyati Abu Hassan Shaari
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (H.A.H.S.); (N.A.R.)
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Mahyiddin Ramli
- Geopolymer and Green Technology, Centre of Excellence (CEGeoGTech), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia;
| | - Mohd Nazim Mohtar
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (H.A.H.S.); (N.A.R.)
- Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norizah Abdul Rahman
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (H.A.H.S.); (N.A.R.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Azizan Ahmad
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia;
- Department of Physics, University of Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
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Farhana N, Bashir S, Ramesh S, Ramesh K. Augmentation of dye-sensitized solar cell photovoltaic conversion efficiency via incorporation of terpolymer Poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) based gel polymer electrolytes. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Synthesis and characterization of poly-3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)propylmethacrylate as a gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. Polym Bull (Berl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00289-021-03541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Tseng SK, Wang RH, Wu JL, Jyothibasu JP, Wang TL, Chu CY, Lee RH. Synthesis of a series of novel imidazolium-containing ionic liquid copolymers for dye-sensitized solar cells. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Hamlaoui FZ, Naar N. Improvement of the structural and electrical properties of PMMA/PANI-MA blends synthesized by interfacial in situ polymerization in a continuous organic phase. Polym Bull (Berl) 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00289-020-03460-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Balamurugan S, Ganesan S. Novel cobalt redox materials admitted in natrosol polymer with a thiophene based additive as a gel polymer electrolyte to tune up the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Iftikhar H, Sonai GG, Hashmi SG, Nogueira AF, Lund PD. Progress on Electrolytes Development in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 12:E1998. [PMID: 31234406 PMCID: PMC6631186 DOI: 10.3390/ma12121998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been intensely researched for more than two decades. Electrolyte formulations are one of the bottlenecks to their successful commercialization, since these result in trade-offs between the photovoltaic performance and long-term performance stability. The corrosive nature of the redox shuttles in the electrolytes is an additional limitation for industrial-scale production of DSSCs, especially with low cost metallic electrodes. Numerous electrolyte formulations have been developed and tested in various DSSC configurations to address the aforementioned challenges. Here, we comprehensively review the progress on the development and application of electrolytes for DSSCs. We particularly focus on the improvements that have been made in different types of electrolytes, which result in enhanced photovoltaic performance and long-term device stability of DSSCs. Several recently introduced electrolyte materials are reviewed, and the role of electrolytes in different DSSC device designs is critically assessed. To sum up, we provide an overview of recent trends in research on electrolytes for DSSCs and highlight the advantages and limitations of recently reported novel electrolyte compositions for producing low-cost and industrially scalable solar cell technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haider Iftikhar
- New Energy Technologies Group, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15100, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland.
| | - Gabriela Gava Sonai
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology and Solar Energy, Chemistry Institute, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Syed Ghufran Hashmi
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto Startup Center, A-Grid, Otakaari 5, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland.
| | - Ana Flávia Nogueira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology and Solar Energy, Chemistry Institute, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Peter David Lund
- New Energy Technologies Group, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15100, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland.
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Novel Quasi-Solid-State Electrolytes based on Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Fiber Membranes for Highly Efficient and Stable Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2019; 9:nano9050783. [PMID: 31121912 PMCID: PMC6567040 DOI: 10.3390/nano9050783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To obtain new highly efficient and stable quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSCs) that can meet the requirements for the large-scale commercial application of solar cells, we have developed a novel quasi-solid-state electrolyte, based on an electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. The structure and properties of electrospun PVDF membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric (TG), and mechanical testing. The results indicate that the electrospun PVDF membrane has a three-dimensional network structure with extremely high porosity, which not only acts as a barrier to prevent electrolyte leakage but also provides a channel for the transmission of ions in the electrolyte, thereby effectively guaranteeing the high photoelectric conversion efficiency of the cells. The membrane was observed to withstand the conditions of hot-press (110 °C), and exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical strength, which are critical for the long-term stability and safety of the cells. The photovoltaic characteristics and stabilities of QS-DSSCs were compared with DSSCs based on an ionic liquid electrolyte (L-DSSC). QS-DSSCs with an 80 μm thick nanofiber electrolyte membrane showed a conversion efficiency of 8.63%, whereas an identical cell based on the corresponding ionic liquid electrolyte showed an efficiency of 9.30%. The stability test showed that, under indoor and outdoor conditions, after 390 h, the L-DSSCs failed. Meanwhile, the QS-DSSCs also maintained 84% and 77% of the original efficiency. The results show that, compared to the liquid electrolyte, the design of the quasi-solid electrolytes based on electrospun PVDF nanofiber membrane not only demonstrates the high conversion efficiency of DSSCs but also enhances the stability of the DSSCs, which provides the possibility for the fabrication of solar cells with higher efficiency and stability.
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Arteshi Y, Aghanejad A, Davaran S, Omidi Y. Biocompatible and electroconductive polyaniline-based biomaterials for electrical stimulation. Eur Polym J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Naz A, Sattar R, Siddiq M. Preparation and Properties of High Performance Multilayered PANi/PMMA/PPG-b-PEG-b-PPG/FGHMDA Nanocomposites via in Situ Polymerization. POLYM-PLAST TECH MAT 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/03602559.2018.1471710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asima Naz
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), Mirpur, Azad Jammu & Kashmir
| | - Rabia Sattar
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Siddiq
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Bora A, Mohan K, Phukan P, Dolui SK. A low cost carbon black/ polyaniline nanotube composite as efficient electro-catalyst for triiodide reduction in dye sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.10.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Tarannum N, Varishetty MM. Synthesis of organic sulfobetaine-based polymer gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell application. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.4028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Tarannum
- Department of Chemistry; Chaudhary Charan Singh University; Meerut 250004 India
| | - Madhu Mohan Varishetty
- Research Institute of Electronics; Shizuoka University; 3-5-1 Johoku Hamamatsu 432-8011 Japan
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