Abstract
In this study, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) were prepared using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer, ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC) plasticizers and different compositions of tetrapropylammonium iodide (TPAI) salt. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were done using non-blocking Pt-electrode symmetric cells. The limiting current (Jlim), apparent diffusion coefficient of triiodide ions and exchange current were found to be 12.76 mA cm−2, 23.41 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 and 11.22–14.24 mA cm−2, respectively, for the GPE containing 30% TPAI. These values are the highest among the GPEs with different TPAI contents. To determine the ionic conductivity, the EIS technique was employed with blocking electrodes. The GPE containing 30% TPAI exhibited the lowest bulk impedance, Rb (22 Ω), highest ionic conductivity (3.62 × 10−3 S cm−1) and lowest activation energy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were utilized for structural characterization. Functional group interactions among PAN, EC, PC and TPAI were studied in the FTIR spectra of the GPEs. An up-shift of the XRD peak indicates the polymer–salt interaction and possible complexation of the cation (TPA+ ion) with the lone pair of electrons containing site –C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> N at the N atom in the host polymer matrix. On the other hand, computational study shows that TPAI-PAN based GPE possesses the lowest frontier orbital bandgap, which coincided with the enhanced electrochemical and electrocatalytic performance of GPE. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) fabricated with these GPEs showed that the JSC (19.75 mA cm−2) and VOC (553.8 mV) were the highest among the GPEs and hence the highest efficiency, η (4.76%), was obtained for the same electrolytes.
Highlights
One of the important components of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is the electrolyte
As well as cyclic voltammetry, is a potential technique to characterize the electrocatalytic activity of electrocatalysts.[93]
Following the similar trend of conductivity versus tetrapropylammonium iodide (TPAI) concentration, JSC, as well as efficiency (h) of dyesensitized solar cell (DSSC), increases with the addition of TPAI in the gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) attaining the maximum of JSC (19.75 mA cmÀ2) and h (4.76%) for the 30 wt% TPAI, respectively and decrease with further addition of TPAI
Summary
One of the important components of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is the electrolyte. The advantage of coordinating polymer and an appropriate salt in the solid-state have been used by researchers.[33] viscous electrolytes can limit ionic transport[34] and penetration of the electrolyte into the mesoporous titania photoelectrode.[35] The DSSCs fabricated with pure polymer electrolytes show lower values of short-circuit current, ll factor and efficiency when compared to DSSCs assembled with liquid electrolytes To overcome these shortcomings of solid polymer electrolytes, researchers have considered liquid electrolytes, gel polymer electrolytes or quasi-solid electrolytes for DSSC application for their higher electrical conductivity and excellent stability.[36,37,38] The conventional liquid electrolytes have serious defects, such as electrolyte evaporation, leakages, desorption, photo-degradation of the dye and corrosion of the platinum secondary electrode.[39,40,41] Enormous efforts have been made to nd alternatives for the liquid electrolytes, solid, quasi-solid/ GPEs and ionic liquid blended electrolytes were studied to replace the liquid electrolytes.[42] for sustainable DSSC development, eco-friendly and cost-effective electrolyte and electrode materials are essential.[43]. The prepared GPE with maximum conductivity was applied in DSSC
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