The influence of Co3O4 concentration on quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cells with polymer electrolyte

Abstract

In this work the effects of Co3O4 concentration on the properties of agarose polymer electrolyte and the corresponding DSSCs are studied with/without magnetic field treatments. The surface morphology, ion concentration, and ionic conductivity of agarose electrolytes with different Co3O4 concentrations are compared under 0 and 35mT magnetic field using various characterization methods. The photovoltaic performances of quasi-solid-state DSSCs with Co3O4 modified polymer electrolyte are examined. After applying magnetic fields, the ionic conductivity and photo-to-electric conversion efficiency of DSSCs are obviously improved in the Co3O4 concentrations below 4wt.%. The highest ionic conductivity of 6.00mScm−1 is obtained with electrolyte modified by 3wt.% Co3O4. The DSSCs with the optimal Co3O4 content show the best conversion efficiency under both 0 and 35mT magnetic fields.