Quasi-Solid State Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Based on Polyvinylpyrrolidone With Ionic Liquid

Abstract

A new ionic liquid polymer gel electrolyte containing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, potassium iodide, and iodine has been prepared and characterized. Controlling the concentration of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, KI, and I2 with 0.9 M, 0.5 M, and 0.12 M, respectively, the ionic liquid polymer gel electrolyte attains the maximum ionic conductivity (at 30°C) of 2.3 mS cm−1. Based on the ionic liquid polymer gel electrolyte, quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated and its overall light-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency of 5.41% was achieved under irradiation of AM1.5 (100 mW cm−2). The dye-sensitized solar cell employing the ionic liquid polymer gel electrolyte shows a more stable photovoltaic performance than a dye-sensitized solar cell assembled with liquid electrolyte.