Porous membrane of polyindole and polymeric ionic liquid incorporated PMMA for efficient quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cell

Abstract

Stable and efficient electrolyte for effective solar energy conversion is a persistent aim of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In this work, a novel honeycomb-like porous membrane (PMMA/PIL/PIN) based quasi-solid state (QSS) electrolyte was prepared by using the mixtures of synthesized polyindole (PIN),poly(3-decyl-1-vinyl imidazolium iodide) (PIL) and PMMA through non-solvent induced phase inversion method. The membranes were characterized in terms of their structure, morphology, physical properties (electrolyte uptake, porosity) and their photovoltaic and electrochemical effects as electrolyte in DSSC device were investigated. PMMA/PIL/PIN membrane was compared with PMMA/PIL, PMMA membrane and liquid electrolyte (LE) for their performance. The best QSS-DSSC with PMMA/PIL/PIN membrane exhibited high open circuit voltage (Voc), good short circuit current density (Jsc), comparable power conversion efficiency (η = 5.96 %) and superior stability (up to 84 % of its initial conversion efficiency after 250 h) compared to LE based DSSC. This innovative PMMA/PIL/PIN membrane based electrolyte pronounces the promising aspect for advancement in excellent performance of QSS-DSSC.