Enhancement of photocurrent of polymer-gelled dye-sensitized solar cell by incorporation of exfoliated montmorillonite nanoplatelets
Journal
Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry
Journal Volume
46
Journal Issue
1
Pages
47-53
Date Issued
2008
Author(s)
Abstract
Abstract Poly( n ‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and its nanocomposite with exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared by soap‐free emulsion polymerization and individually applied to gel the electrolyte systems for the dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Each exfoliated MMT nanoplatelet had a thickness of ∼ 1 nm, carried ∼ 1.8 cation/nm 2 , and acted like a two‐dimensional electrolyte. The DSSC with the LiI/I 2 /tertiary butylpyridine electrolyte system gelled by this polymer nanocomposite had higher short‐circuit current density ( J sc ) compared to that gelled by the neat PNIPAAm. The former has a J sc of 12.6 mA/cm 2 , an open circuit voltage ( V oc ) of 0.73 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.59, which harvested 5.4% electricity conversion efficiency (η) under AM 1.5 irradiation at 100 mW/cm 2 , whereas the latter has J sc = 7.28 mA/cm 2 , V oc = 0.72 V, FF = 0.60, and η = 3.17%. IPCE of the nanocomposite‐gelled DSSC were also improved. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the DSSCs revealed that the nanocomposite‐gelled electrolytes significantly decreased the impedances in three major electric current paths of DSSCs, that is, the resistance of electrolytes and electric contacts, impedance across the electrolytes/dye‐coated TiO 2 interface, and Nernstian diffusion within the electrolytes. The results were also consistent with the increased molar conductivity of nanocomposite‐gelled electrolytes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 47–53, 2008
SDGs
Type
journal article