A low molecular mass organogelator electrolyte with TiO2 nanoparticles for stable and efficient quasi-solid-state dye sensitized solar cells. Issue 13 (23rd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Girma, Wubshet Mekonnen; Chen, Chia-Hung; Yang, Cheng-Hsien; Wang, Po-I.; Ou, Keng-Liang; Liaw, Der-Jang; Chang, Jia-Yaw
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 7:Issue 13(2017)
• Page Start: 7671
• Page End: 7678
• Publication Date: 2017-01-23
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra27203g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : We report stable and efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSCs) fabricated using a combination of TiO2 nanoparticles and a low-molecular-mass organogelator (LMOG) as a nanoparticle–gel composite electrolyte. Abstract : We report stable and efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSCs) fabricated using a combination of TiO2 nanoparticles and a low-molecular-mass organogelator (LMOG) as a nanoparticle–gel composite electrolyte. Three types of electrolyte, namely liquid, LMOG-based gel, and nanoparticle–gel composite, are used. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopy measurements suggest that the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles in the nanoparticle–gel composite electrolyte could afford faster electron transport and a longer electron recombination time compared to the liquid and LMOG-based gel electrolytes. The QS-DSSC using the nanoparticle–gel composite electrolyte with the optimal TiO2 content exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 7.79%, which is significantly higher than that of devices using the liquid (7.22%) and LMOG-based gel (7.21%) electrolytes. Remarkably, the QS-DSSCs with the optimal nanoparticle–gel composite electrolyte exhibit long-term stability over 10 days, unlike the liquid electrolyte-based cells.