Formulated quasi-solid state electrolyte based on polypyrrole/polyaniline–polyurethane nanocomposite for dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract

A polymer-based quasi-solid state electrolyte using polyurethane (PU) matrix was applied for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). To further improve the performance of the electrolyte, 10 wt% of conductive polymer [polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANi)] nanoparticles were introduced into the matrix. The samples were named PU-10%PPy and PU-10%PANi, and characterized using ATR–FTIR, TEM, DLS, a transmitted light microscope, a reflected light microscope, and TGA. The formulated polymeric nanocomposites were immersed in the liquid electrolyte and the polymer matrix absorbency, conductivity (σ), ion diffusion coefficient (Dff), and photovoltaic performance in the DSSC were measured. Polymer matrix absorbency and Dff of PU-10%PPy (1.72 g g−1, 1.52 µcm2 s−1) and PU-10%PANi (1.74 g g−1, 1.31 µcm2 s−1) were lower than the PU matrix (2.01 g g−1, 1.68 µcm2 s−1). However, the conductivity of PU-10%PPy and PU-10%PANi was higher than the PU matrix (2.64, 2.69, and 2.59 mS cm−1, respectively). The efficiency of the DSSC based on PU-10%PANi was the highest, with open circuit voltage of 709 mV, short circuit current of 3.67 mA cm−2, fill factor of 0.62, and light-to-energy conversion efficiency of 2.68%.