Solid state dye sensitized solar cells with polyaniline-thiourea based polymer electrolyte composition

Abstract

The quest for cost effective and efficient solid-state electrolytes is a primary goal for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The present study describes an experimental approach of synthesizing simple composite electrolytes from iodide-triiodide ions (I−/I3−) incorporated into a polyaniline/thiourea matrix for solid-state DSSC applications. This electrolyte composition can be effectively used to decrease the probability of recombination at the TiO2/electrolyte interface and increase the catalytic process of I3− reduction at the electrolyte/counter electrode interface. The application of the optimized electrolyte in DSSC results in increased open-circuit voltage as well as short circuit current density, thereby increasing the overall efficiency by 73% as compared to the reference electrolyte. The present composition can prove to be a promising redox medium for solid state DSSCs.