Highly efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells using polyethylene oxide (PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based printable electrolytes

Abstract

In this study, highly efficient printable electrolytes (PEs) were prepared for a quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (QS-DSSC). A liquid electrolyte based on iodide/triiodide redox couples and 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN) was utilized to prepare the PEs. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were employed as solidifying agents to optimize the properties of the PEs. Moreover, TiO₂ nanofillers (NFs) were added to the PEs to enhance the performance of the DSSCs. The results indicate that a PE based on a PEO/PMMA ratio of 7/3 was optimal for efficient printing. The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC achieved by using this PE was 8.48%, which was higher than the efficiencies of the cell using only PEO PE (7.63%) and liquid-cells (8.32%). This was mainly due to the increase in the electrolyte conductivity and charge transfer resistance at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface of the DSSC. The presence of 10 wt% TiO₂ NFs in the PEs increased the efficiency of the QS-DSSC to 9.12%. The sub-module cell fabricated by using the PE with TiO₂ NFs achieved an efficiency of 6.78%. The PE based DSSC exhibited stable long-term efficiency during thermal aging at 60 °C.