Grafted PEO polymeric ionic liquid nanocomposite electrospun membrane for efficient and stable dye sensitized solar cell. (1st May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomas, Mini; Rajiv, Sheeja
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 341(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-01
• Subjects: Dye sensitized solar cell -- Polymeric ionic liquid -- Electrolyte -- Electrospun membrane -- Poly (ethylene oxide); Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Abstract: An innovative polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) was synthesized by covalently grafting vinyl imidazolium iodide and methyl methacrylate onto poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO). Synthesized tungsten oxide nanoparticles (WO3 NPs) were incorporated into the PIL solution and a polymer nanocomposite fibrous membrane (PVIM-W) was fabricated by electrospinning. This was used as a functional electrolyte for quasi solid state dye sensitized solar cell ((QSS- DSSC). The structure and morphology of the membranes and its physical characteristics as electrolytes were studied. The SEM images showed formation of uniform and beadless nanofibers. Photovoltaic and electrochemical effects of all the electrolytes have been examined. PVIM-W membrane exhibited superior power conversion efficiency (η) of 7.2% and better stability (up to 94.4% of its initial conversion efficiency after 500 h) when compared to the cell with the liquid electrolyte (η = 6.85%) and the ungrafted PEO membrane. This novel PVIM-W membrane based electrolyte shows great prospect for development of efficient and stable QSS-DSSC. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Utilization of highly porous electrospun grafted PEO polymeric ionic liquid nanofibrous membranes as polymer electrolytes. Tungsten oxide nanoparticles incorporated polymeric ionic liquid membrane shows highly efficient (η = 7.2%) leakage proof and stable QSS-DSSC. Regular interwoven electrospun matrix increased electrolyte uptake, diffusion coefficient and ionic conductivity.