Ionic liquid-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells: Cationic and anionic effects on the photovoltaic performance
Journal
Nano Energy
Journal Volume
9
Pages
1-14
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Composite films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with various functional ionic liquids were obtained by electro-polymerization process on indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) conducting glasses. The ITO glasses coated with the composite films were used as the counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Various imidazolium cations with different alkyl chains (-C2H5, -C6H13, -C10H21) and anions (BF4-,PF6-,SO3CF3-,TFSI-) were used as the ionic liquids. The films of PEDOT doped with the ionic liquids render for their DSSCs enhanced power conversion efficiencies (η), compared to that of the cell with bare PEDOT counter electrode. The DSSC with 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (HMITFSI)-doped PEDOT counter electrode shows a high η of 8.87±0.11, while the DSSCs with bare PEDOT and platinum counter electrodes show the ηs of 6.19±0.09 and 8.09±0.06, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle data were used to characterize the ionic liquid-doped PEDOT films. Cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk electrode, Tafel polarization plots, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency curves were used to substantiate the photovoltaic performance. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Subjects
Counter electrode; Dye-sensitized solar cell; Functional ionic liquid; Imidazolium cation; Ionic liquid-doped PEDOT; Rotating disk electrode
SDGs
Other Subjects
Composite films; Conversion efficiency; Cyclic voltammetry; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrodes; ITO glass; Photoelectrochemical cells; Photovoltaic effects; Positive ions; Rotating disks; Scanning electron microscopy; Solar cells; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Counter electrodes; Dye-Sensitized solar cell; Functional ionic liquids; Imidazolium cation; Ionic liquid-doped PEDOT; Rotating disk electrodes; Ionic liquids
Type
journal article