Abstract
To obtain new highly efficient and stable quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSCs) that can meet the requirements for the large-scale commercial application of solar cells, we have developed a novel quasi-solid-state electrolyte, based on an electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. The structure and properties of electrospun PVDF membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), thermogravimetric (TG), and mechanical testing. The results indicate that the electrospun PVDF membrane has a three-dimensional network structure with extremely high porosity, which not only acts as a barrier to prevent electrolyte leakage but also provides a channel for the transmission of ions in the electrolyte, thereby effectively guaranteeing the high photoelectric conversion efficiency of the cells. The membrane was observed to withstand the conditions of hot-press (110 °C), and exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical strength, which are critical for the long-term stability and safety of the cells. The photovoltaic characteristics and stabilities of QS-DSSCs were compared with DSSCs based on an ionic liquid electrolyte (L-DSSC). QS-DSSCs with an 80 μm thick nanofiber electrolyte membrane showed a conversion efficiency of 8.63%, whereas an identical cell based on the corresponding ionic liquid electrolyte showed an efficiency of 9.30%. The stability test showed that, under indoor and outdoor conditions, after 390 h, the L-DSSCs failed. Meanwhile, the QS-DSSCs also maintained 84% and 77% of the original efficiency. The results show that, compared to the liquid electrolyte, the design of the quasi-solid electrolytes based on electrospun PVDF nanofiber membrane not only demonstrates the high conversion efficiency of DSSCs but also enhances the stability of the DSSCs, which provides the possibility for the fabrication of solar cells with higher efficiency and stability.
Highlights
With the increase in energy demand and environmental pollution in the last decade, global concerns about such problems have significantly spurred the technological endeavor of renewable and green energy
CAfatsera3w90hohl,et.heBaLs-eDdSSoCn Fwigituhroeu1t 3tbh,ed,PuVnDdFeretlhecetsroamspeusneafillimngfcaoilnedd,itaionnds,tthheeQreSd-DucStSioCnroeftaJiSnCeids c8a4u%seodf bitys tihneitviaollaetfifliicziaenticoyn. oTfhtehsee erleescutrlotslyitned, iwcahtiechthaaltsothinedqicuaatseis-stohlaidt theleecetlreocltyrotespbuansePdVoDnF afinbeerlemctermosbpruannePcVanDFprnevanenotfitbheer vmoelamtiblirzaantieoins omf othree eslteacbtlreoltyhtaenmthoerelieqffueicdtiveleelcyt.rAolfyteter,3w90hhic,hthueltLim-DaStSeClywleiathdosuttotbheetPteVrDstFabelielicttyroosfptuhne fiQlSm-DfSaiSlCedt,haanndthteheL-QDSS-SDCS.SC retained 84% of its initial efficiency. These results indicate that the quasi-solid electrolyte based on an electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membrane is more stable than the liquid electrolyte, which leads to better stability of the QS-dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) than the L-DSSC
Electrospun PVDF fiber membranes were successfully applied to DSSCs
Summary
With the increase in energy demand and environmental pollution in the last decade, global concerns about such problems have significantly spurred the technological endeavor of renewable and green energy. The traditional fabrication process of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) uses liquid electrolytes, which leads to long-term stability problems because of the leakage and volatility of liquid electrolytes [7,8]. Gel polymer electrolytes could resolve the problem of the leakage of liquid electrolyte to some extent, because of their complex preparation process, poor mechanical strength, and low thermal stability, there is a limitation when it comes to using them on a commercial scale [20,21]. To overcome these problems, another process, using polymer nanofiber membranes, has been developed [22,23,24,25]
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