1
|
Chakrabarti C, Mevada C, Ray D, Aswal VK, Pillai SA. Influence of sodium salts on the phase and gelation behaviour of T1107 to be used as proposed polymer gel electrolyte. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
2
|
Vaghasiya JV, Mayorga-Martinez CC, Matějková S, Pumera M. Pick up and dispose of pollutants from water via temperature-responsive micellar copolymers on magnetite nanorobots. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1026. [PMID: 35232958 PMCID: PMC8888651 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28406-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano/micromotor technology is evolving as an effective method for water treatment applications in comparison to existing static mechanisms. The dynamic nature of the nano/micromotor particles enable faster mass transport and a uniform mixing ensuring an improved pollutant degradation and removal. Here we develop thermosensitive magnetic nanorobots (TM nanorobots) consisting of a pluronic tri-block copolymer (PTBC) that functions as hands for pollutant removal. These TM nanorobots are incorporated with iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles as an active material to enable magnetic propulsion. The pickup and disposal of toxic pollutants are monitored by intermicellar agglomeration and separation of PTBC at different temperatures. The as-prepared TM nanorobots show excellent arsenic and atrazine removal efficiency. Furthermore, the adsorbed toxic contaminants on the TM nanorobots can be disposed by a simple cooling process and exhibit good recovery retention after multiple reuse cycles. This combination of temperature sensitive aggregation/separation coupled with magnetic propulsion opens a plethora of opportunities in the applicability of nanorobots in water treatment and targeted pollutant removal approaches. Pesticide and heavy metal pollution in water can cause environmental and public health issues. Here, the authors report thermoresponsive magnetic nanorobots that can efficiently pick up and dispose of pollutants from water by adjusting the water temperature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayraj V Vaghasiya
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
| | - Carmen C Mayorga-Martinez
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislava Matějková
- Central Analytical Laboratory, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 166 10, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague, 6, Czech Republic. .,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea. .,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan. .,Center for Nanorobotics and Machine Intelligence, Dept. of Food Technology, Mendel University, Zemedelska 1, Brno, 613 00, Czech Republic. .,Future Energy and Innovation Lab, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 123, Brno, 612 00, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Machhi HK, Ray D, Panjabi SH, Aswal VK, Soni SS. Effect of redox active multivalent metal salts on micellization of amphiphilic block copolymer for energy storage devices via SANS, DLS and NMR. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
4
|
Vaghasiya JV, Mayorga-Martinez CC, Sofer Z, Pumera M. MXene-Based Flexible Supercapacitors: Influence of an Organic Ionic Conductor Electrolyte on the Performance. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:53039-53048. [PMID: 33175496 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c12879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the rise of miniaturized wearable electronic devices in the last decade, significant demands have arisen to obtain high-performance flexible supercapacitors (FSCs). Recently, a lot of research has been focused on developing smart components of FSCs and integrating them into new device configurations. In this work, FSCs based on a Ti3C2 nanosheet (NS) and an organic ionic conductor (OIC)-induced hydrogel as the electrode and the electrolyte, respectively, were used. The FSCs fabricated have three different configurations (sandwich, twisted fiber, and interdigitated) and a comparative study of their electrochemical performance was investigated in terms of cycle stability, bending stability, power density, and energy density. Finally, the experimental validation of practical application was conducted, which suggested excellent electrochemical stability of Ti3C2 NS FSCs for driven commercial electronic gadgets. This study presents mechanically robust, lightweight, high-performance FSCs, which can be assembled in different configurations for powering wearable electronic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayraj V Vaghasiya
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Carmen C Mayorga-Martinez
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Sofer
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Future Energy and Innovation Lab, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 123, Brno 612 00, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Prasad J, Machhi HK, Sonigara KK, Patel VK, Soni SS. Above 800 mV Open-Circuit Voltage in Solid-State Photovoltaic Devices Using Phosphonium Cation-Based Solid Ionic Conductors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:22939-22947. [PMID: 32319745 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c04426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report phosphonium-based two solid ionic conductors (SICs), namely, triphenylphosphonium methyl iodide (TPPMeI) and triphenylphosphonium iodide (TPPHI), prepared via simple protocol at room temperature and were used as an electrolyte for solid-state photovoltaic devices (ss-PVDs) with open-circuit voltage (Voc) exceeding 800 mV. Here, for the first time, detailed electrochemical investigations with theoretical aspects of phosphonium electrolytes were conducted, where PVDs prepared from these SICs, TPPMeI, showed the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.08% with a Voc of 810 mV. However, this performance was further improved up to the PCE of 6.71% with 824 mV of Voc in the presence of additives like LiI and tert-butyl pyridine. This work leads to find the best alternative of liquid and quaternary ammonium ion-based electrolytes that suffers from problems like lower Voc (<800 mV) and stability, leakage, etc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Hiren K Machhi
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Keval K Sonigara
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Vaibhav K Patel
- P. D. Patel Institute of Applied Sciences, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa 388421, Gujarat, India
| | - Saurabh S Soni
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, Gujarat, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vaghasiya JV, Mayorga-Martinez CC, Pumera M. Flexible energy generation and storage devices: focus on key role of heterocyclic solid-state organic ionic conductors. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:7819-7844. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00698j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This review addresses the vital role of solid-state electrolytes to develop highly efficient, customizable flexible energy generation and storage devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayraj V. Vaghasiya
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry
- Faculty of Chemical Technology
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
- 166 28 Prague
| | - Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry
- Faculty of Chemical Technology
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
- 166 28 Prague
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry
- Faculty of Chemical Technology
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
- 166 28 Prague
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sonigara KK, Machhi HK, Vaghasiya JV, Gibaud A, Tan SC, Soni SS. A Smart Flexible Solid State Photovoltaic Device with Interfacial Cooling Recovery Feature through Thermoreversible Polymer Gel Electrolyte. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1800842. [PMID: 30091844 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201800842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with lightweight flexible substrates have a great potential in wearable electronic devices for in situ powering. However, the poor lifespan of these DSSCs limits their practical application. Strong mechanical stresses involved in practical applications cause breakage of the electrode/electrolyte interface in the DSSCs greatly affecting their performance and lifetime. Here, a mechanically robust, low-cost, long-lasting, and environment-friendly quasi-solid-state DSSC using a smart thermoreversible water-based polymer gel electrolyte with self-healing characteristics at a low temperature (below 0 °C) is demonstrated. When the performance of the flexible DSSC is hindered by strong mechanical stresses (i.e., from multiple bending/twisting/shrinking actions), a simple cooling treatment can regenerate the electrode/electrolyte interface and recover the performance close to the initial level. A performance recovery as high as 94% is proven possible even after 300 cycles of 90° bending. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first aqueous DSSC device with self-healing behavior, using a smart thermoreversible polymer gel electrolyte, which provides a new perspective in flexible wearable solid-state photovoltaic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keval K Sonigara
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Hiren K Machhi
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Jayraj V Vaghasiya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Alain Gibaud
- Institut des MoléculesetMatériaux du Mans, Universitédu Maine, UMR CNRS 6283, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085, Le Mans Cedex 9, France
| | - Swee Ching Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering drive 1, Singapore, 117574, Singapore
| | - Saurabh S Soni
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, 388 120, Gujarat, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li L, Liu L, Qing Y, Zhang Z, Yan N, Wu Y, Tian C. Stretchable alkaline poly(acrylic acid) electrolyte with high ionic conductivity enhanced by cellulose nanofibrils. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.03.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
9
|
Vaghasiya JV, Sonigara KK, Beuvier T, Gibaud A, Soni SS. Iodine induced 1-D lamellar self assembly in organic ionic crystals for solid state dye sensitized solar cells. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:15949-15957. [PMID: 29019499 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr06128e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A novel saturated heterocyclic organic ionic crystal, piperidinium iodide (PiHI), is synthesized by a facile route and applied as a solid electrolyte in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (ss-DSSCs). Upon addition of a small quantity of iodine, PiHI self-assembles into a 1D lamellar micro crystalline structure that shows anisotropic conductivity. The two-component PiHI was characterized by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, steady state voltammetry, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement confirms the presence of long range 1D lamellar channels that pave the way for the diffusion of the redox couple I-/I3- and exhibit high anisotropic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of 1D PiHI (with I2) aligned perpendicular to the electrode, σ⊥ (15.46 mS cm-1), is 1.5 times higher than that aligned parallel to the electrode σ∥ = 10.32 mS cm-1. The ss-DSSC devices with these self-assembled ordered ionic crystals with a carbazole based sensitizer (SK1) achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.2% and 5.2% for ∥al and ⊥ar arrangement, respectively. The reported PCEs are better than that obtained from a classical liquid electrolyte with SK1 sensitizers. The electron kinetics at various interfaces of ss-DSSC devices was evaluated using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The presence of a saturated cyclic structure promotes close packing through H-bonding and electrostatic interactions, which make ss-DSSC devices more stable up to 600 h under illumination of 1 sun.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayraj V Vaghasiya
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388 120, Gujarat, India.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Umapathi R, Vepuri SB, Venkatesu P, Soliman ME. Comprehensive Computational and Experimental Analysis of Biomaterial toward the Behavior of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids: An Interplay between Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interactions. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:4909-4922. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b02208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh B. Vepuri
- K
L College of Pharmacy, K L University, Guntur 522 502, India
- Discipline
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | | | - Mahmoud E. Soliman
- Discipline
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Umapathi R, Venkatesu P. Thermo-responsive triblock copolymer phase transition behaviour in imidazolium-based ionic liquids: Role of the effect of alkyl chain length of cations. J Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 485:183-191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2016.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
12
|
|
13
|
Bella F, Galliano S, Falco M, Viscardi G, Barolo C, Grätzel M, Gerbaldi C. Unveiling iodine-based electrolytes chemistry in aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Sci 2016; 7:4880-4890. [PMID: 30155136 PMCID: PMC6014110 DOI: 10.1039/c6sc01145d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have recently emerged as promising systems, which can combine low cost and environmental compatibility with appreciable efficiency, long-term durability and enhanced safety. In the present study, we thoroughly investigate the chemistry behind the iodide/triiodide-based redox mediator, which presents - in a completely aqueous environment - several differences when compared to the behavior observed in the conventionally used organic solvents. The speciation of ions, the effect of the concentration of the redox mediator and the type of counter-ion are characterized from the electrochemical, spectroscopic, photovoltaic and analytical viewpoints. Furthermore, we demonstrate that aqueous DSSCs, often assumed as unstable, hold the potential to assure unparalleled stability after five months of aging without any addition of stabilizers or gelling agents, thus envisaging the construction of eco-friendly photovoltaic devices free of expensive, flammable and toxic solvents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Bella
- GAME Lab , CHENERGY Group , Department of Applied Science and Technology - DISAT , Politecnico di Torino , Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 , 10129-Torino , Italy . ;
| | - S Galliano
- Department of Chemistry and NIS Interdepartmental Centre , Università degli Studi di Torino , Via Pietro Giuria 7 , 10125-Torino , Italy .
| | - M Falco
- Department of Chemistry and NIS Interdepartmental Centre , Università degli Studi di Torino , Via Pietro Giuria 7 , 10125-Torino , Italy .
| | - G Viscardi
- Department of Chemistry and NIS Interdepartmental Centre , Università degli Studi di Torino , Via Pietro Giuria 7 , 10125-Torino , Italy .
| | - C Barolo
- Department of Chemistry and NIS Interdepartmental Centre , Università degli Studi di Torino , Via Pietro Giuria 7 , 10125-Torino , Italy .
| | - M Grätzel
- Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces , Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques , Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , Station 3 , CH1015-Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - C Gerbaldi
- GAME Lab , CHENERGY Group , Department of Applied Science and Technology - DISAT , Politecnico di Torino , Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 , 10129-Torino , Italy . ;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tang X, Muchakayala R, Song S, Zhang Z, Polu AR. A study of structural, electrical and electrochemical properties of PVdF-HFP gel polymer electrolyte films for magnesium ion battery applications. J IND ENG CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
15
|
Zhang K, Cui Z, Xing G, Feng Y, Meng S. Improved performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on modified kaolin/PVDF-HFP composite gel electrolytes. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra19803a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The DSSCs based on modified kaolin/PVDF-HFP composite gel electrolyte have excellent efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyue Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300350
- PR China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
| | - Zijian Cui
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300350
- PR China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
| | - Guangyu Xing
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300350
- PR China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
| | - Yaqing Feng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300350
- PR China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
| | - Shuxian Meng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin 300350
- PR China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yılmaz E, Olutaş EB, Barım G, Bandara J, Dag Ö. Lithium salt–nonionic surfactant lyotropic liquid crystalline gel-electrolytes with redox couple for dye sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra19979h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium salts (LiCl, LiBr, LiI, LiNO3) and a non-ionic surfactant form, with a small amount of water, lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) mesophases, which are not disturbed by the addition of LiI and I2and can be used as gel-electrolytes in DSSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Yılmaz
- Bilkent University
- Department of Chemistry
- Ankara
- Turkey
| | - Elif Berna Olutaş
- Bilkent University
- Department of Chemistry
- Ankara
- Turkey
- Abant İzzet Baysal University
| | - Gözde Barım
- Bilkent University
- Department of Chemistry
- Ankara
- Turkey
| | | | - Ömer Dag
- Bilkent University
- Department of Chemistry
- Ankara
- Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bidikoudi M, Perganti D, Karagianni CS, Falaras P. Solidification of ionic liquid redox electrolytes using agarose biopolymer for highly performing dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2015.02.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
18
|
Bella F, Sacco A, Massaglia G, Chiodoni A, Pirri CF, Quaglio M. Dispelling clichés at the nanoscale: the true effect of polymer electrolytes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:12010-12017. [PMID: 26108568 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02286j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In the field of dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer electrolytes are among the most studied materials due to their ability to ensure both high efficiency and stability, the latter being a critical point of these devices. Hundreds of polymeric matrices have been proposed over the years, and their functionalization with several groups, the variation of their molecular weight and the tuning of the crosslinking degree have been investigated. However, the true effect that polymeric matrices have on the cell parameters has often been addressed superficially, and hundreds of papers justify the obtained results with a simple bibliographic reference to other systems (sometimes completely different). This work proposes a system of nanoscale growth and crosslinking of a polymer electrolyte inside a nanostructured photoanode. Electrochemical and photovoltaic parameters are carefully monitored as a function of thickness and degree of penetration of the electrolyte. The results derived from this study refute many clichés generally accepted and taken for granted in many literature articles, and – for the first time – a compromise between the amount of polymer, cell efficiency and stability is achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bella
- Department of Applied Science and Technology - DISAT, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
This review highlights the efforts towards the realization of an artificial photosynthetic system able to convert sunlight into electricity by using a unique solvent, water, the solvent of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bella
- GAME Lab
- CHENERGY Group
- Department of Applied Science and Technology – DISAT
- 10129 Torino
- Italy
| | - Claudio Gerbaldi
- GAME Lab
- CHENERGY Group
- Department of Applied Science and Technology – DISAT
- 10129 Torino
- Italy
| | - Claudia Barolo
- Department of Chemistry and NIS Interdepartmental Centre
- Università degli Studi di Torino
- 10125 Torino
- Italy
| | - Michael Grätzel
- Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)
- 1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Vekariya RL, Aswal VK, Hassan PA, Soni SS. Influence of N-alkylpyridinium halide based ionic liquids on micellization of P123 in aqueous solutions: a SANS, DLS, and NMR study. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:14406-14415. [PMID: 25380316 DOI: 10.1021/la502902n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The isotropic micellar state of Pluronic P123 in the presence and absence of N-alkylpyridinium halide ionic liquids (ILs) is investigated using SANS, DLS, and (1)H NMR studies. The micellar structural parameters are obtained as a function of variation in alkyl chain length, anions, and concentrations of ILs by fitting the SANS scattering data with a model composed of core-shell form factor and a hard sphere structure factor of interaction. Addition of ILs decreases the micellar core, aggregation number, and hard sphere radius of P123 micelles. From quantitative analysis, we determined the amount of solvent (D2O + IL) present inside the core and the core-shell interface along with cationic head groups. This is further supported by monitoring interaction between ILs and polymer micelle using (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The results are discussed and explained as a function of concentration of C8PyCl, alkyl chain length, and anions of N-alkylpyridinium halides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohit L Vekariya
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University , Vallabh Vidyanagar 388120, Gujarat, India
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vekariya RL, Ray D, Aswal VK, Hassan PA, Soni SS. Effect of ionic liquids on microstructures of micellar aggregates formed by PEO–PPO–PEO block copolymer in aqueous solution. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
22
|
Liu C, Mei Q, Zhang J, Kang X, Peng L, Han B, Xue Z, Sang X, Yang X, Wu Z, Li Z, Mo G. CO2as a smart gelator for Pluronic aqueous solutions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:14233-6. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc06623e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|