Preparation and Characterization of Polymer Electrolyte of Glycidyl Methacrylate-Methyl Methacrylate-LiClO4Plasticized with Ethylene Carbonate

M Imperiyka,A Ahmad,S A Hanifah,M Y A Rahman

doi:10.1155/2014/638279

M Imperiyka, A Ahmad + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/638279

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Abstract

In the present investigation, we study the properties of the plasticized polyglycidyl methacrylate P(GMA) copolymerized with polymethyl methacrylate P(MMA)-LiClO4polymer electrolyte prepared by solution casting technique. The electrolyte was characterized using impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The conductivity was improved from1.3×10−12 S cm−1to8.7×10−6 S cm−1upon the addition of 25 wt.% LiClO4salt into P(GMA-MMA). The conductivity was improved from1.4×10−6 S cm−1to3.0×10−4 S cm−1upon the addition of 80 wt.% EC into P(GMA-MMA)-LiClO4The band that belongs to C–O–C is shifted farther than the band of C=O upon the addition of LiClO4into P(GMA-MMA). The band of C–O–C stretching is shifted to lower wavenumber upon the addition of EC into P(GMA-MMA)-LiClO4. Upon the addition of EC into P(GMA-co-MMA), the intensity of the peaks decreases, implying the amorphous nature of the electrolyte increases with the concentration of the plasticizer. The electrolyte is electrochemically stable at 3.8 V, making it suitable for dye-sensitized solar cell application.

Highlights

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received considerable attention due to low manufacturing cost and simple preparation technique over conventional solar cells
Even though the high conversion efficiencies were obtained for the dye-sensitized solar cells with liquid electrolytes, potential problems caused by liquid electrolytes, such as leakage and volatilization of the liquid and possible corrosion of the counter electrode, have brought about difficulties in cell fabrication limiting the long-term performance and practical use of these dye-sensitized solar cells [2]
The conductivity was improved about six orders upon the addition of LiClO4 salt into the P(GMA-methyl methacrylate (MMA)) and about two orders upon the addition of ethylene carbonate (EC) to the P(GMAMMA)-LiClO4

Summary

Introduction

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received considerable attention due to low manufacturing cost and simple preparation technique over conventional solar cells. A photoelectric conversion efficiency of 12.5% has been obtained in DSSCs with organic solvent-based electrolyte [1]. P-type semiconductors [4], inorganic hole transport materials [5], organic hole transport materials [6], and polymer/redox couples blends [7] have been introduced as substitutions for traditional liquid electrolyte in all solid-state photoelectrochemical cell configurations. Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes, the solvent-free polymer electrolytes are materials of immediate interest. Many advantageous properties of solid polymer (SPEs) based electrolytes like preventing electrolyte leakage and liquid evaporation make them suitable electrolyte for DSSCs [10]. We have introduced one approach to modify polymer electrolyte system and achieve high ionic conductivity which is desirable for DSSC application. We have added plasticizer ethylene carbonate (EC) into P(GMA-co-MMA) matrix to enhance the flexibility of polymer chains and improved the ionic conductivity

Materials and Methods

Preparation of UV-Cured Polymer and UV-Cured Polymer

Findings

Result and Discussion

Conclusions