Influence of different concentrations of 4-tert-butyl-pyridine in a gel polymer electrolyte towards improved performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC). (1st March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saidi, Norshahirah Mohamad; Farhana, N.K.; Ramesh, S.; Ramesh, K.
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 216(2021)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2021-03-01
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cell -- Polymer electrolyte -- 4-tert-butyl-pyridine -- Open-circuit voltage; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.12.058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: Different concentration of 4- tert -butyl-pyridine was added in GPE-TBP based DSSC. TBP content shifts the quasi-fermi level of TiO2 photoanode to a higher potential. Open-circuit voltage was enhanced by 21.31% after the addition of 7 wt% of TBP. The addition of TBP resulted in decreasing of the short-circuit current of the DSSC. GPE-TBP based DSSC achieved a maximum photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.09%. Abstract: Developing gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) can solve the safety issues faced by liquid electrolyte and allow easy fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). However, its power conversion efficiency ( η ) still needs improvement by bettering any other parameters such as open-circuit voltage ( VOC ), short–circuit current ( JSC ) and Fill Factor (FF). Herein, 4- tert -butyl-pyridine (TBP) is used as an additive with different concentrations, and its effects on the GPE-TBP are studied. The addition of TBP is beneficial in DSSC employing GPE-TBP as it can adsorb on the surface of the mesoporous TiO2 photoanode, which leads to the shifting of the quasi-fermi level of TiO2 photoanode to a higher potential. This phenomenon enhances open-circuit voltage ( VOC ) of the DSSC from 615 to 750 mV upon addition of 7 wt% of TBP content to the GPE sample. However, taking into consideration all parameters in DSSC employing GPE-TBP, GPE sample containing 3 wt% of TBP shows the highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency ( ɳ ) of 8.11% under light illumination of 100 mW cm −2 .