Characterization of PMA–TPAI and PVAc–TPAI solid polymer electrolytes and application in dye‐sensitized solar cell

Abstract

ABSTRACTPoly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)–tetrapropylammonium iodide (TPAI) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)–TPAI solid polymer electrolytes were prepared by solution casting method. DSC, FTIR, and conductivity results are reported. TPAI interacts with PMA and PVAc to form PMA–TPAI and PVAc–TPAI complexes. Formation of PMA–TPAI and PVAc–TPAI complexes are supported by the DSC and FTIR studies. Linear relationship for the dependence of glass‐transition temperature, T g, on salt concentration allows the estimation of the complexation extent between polymer and salt. A greater extent of complexation for PMA with TPAI is observed and correlated with the FTIR results. The conductivities achieved at 15 wt % of TPAI for PMA and PVAc are 2.6 × 10−11 and 1.3 × 10−11 S cm−1, respectively. Higher dielectric constant and lower T g of PMA result in higher number and mobility of ions, which lead to higher conductivity in accordance with σ = enμ. All‐solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled with PMA–TPAI and PVAc–TPAI electrolytes. DSSC efficiencies achieved for PMA and PVAc are 2.41% and 2.05%, respectively. Better performance of DSSC with PMA electrolyte is attributed to higher short‐circuit current density, Jsc, and lower recombination loss. Lower Jsc, higher recombination loss, and degradation of counter electrode are the reasons for DSSC degradation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46835.