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Gel Electrolytes with Polyamidopyridine Dendron Modified Talc for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Marcos A Santana Andrade, Armi Tiihonen1, Kati Miettunen1
1Department of Applied Physics, New Energy Technologies Group , P.O. Box 15100, FIN-00076 Aalto, Finland.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 3, 2017
Summary
Functionalized talc (PAMPy-talc) acts as a low-cost gelator for dye-sensitized solar cells. This novel material enhances efficiency and provides stable performance, showing promise for future solar cell electrolytes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) require stable electrolytes for efficient energy conversion.
- Organic-inorganic hybrid materials offer potential as electrolyte additives.
- Talc is an abundant, low-cost, and environmentally friendly material suitable for gelation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of functionalized talc (PAMPy-talc) as a gelator in quasi-solid electrolytes for DSSCs.
- To evaluate the impact of dendron generation and polyiodide intercalation on DSSC performance and stability.
- To assess the long-term stability and charge carrier interactions of PAMPy-talc in DSSC electrolytes.
Main Methods:
- Organotalc was functionalized with three generations of polyamidopyridine dendrons (PAMPy-talc-Gn).
- Polyiodide-dendron charge-transfer complexes were formed via iodine adsorption.
- DSSC performance was evaluated using PAMPy-talc as a gelator, with varying dendron generations and polyiodide content.
- Long-term stability was assessed through 1000-hour light soaking tests and electrolyte color analysis.
Main Results:
- The lowest-generation PAMPy-talc (n=1) yielded the best DSSC performance (η = 4.5 ± 0.3%), outperforming liquid electrolytes by 15%.
- PAMPy-talc demonstrated minimal iodide absorption from the electrolyte, unlike previously studied talcs.
- Cells utilizing PAMPy-talc exhibited stable performance over 1000 hours of light soaking, with no significant degradation.
- Electrolyte color remained stable, indicating no detrimental charge carrier absorption by the PAMPy-talc material.
Conclusions:
- Functionalized talc (PAMPy-talc) is a promising, stable, and efficient gelling agent for quasi-solid electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells.
- The PAMPy-talc material offers a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative for DSSC electrolyte development.
- The absence of interfering charge carrier absorption ensures long-term operational stability for DSSCs employing PAMPy-talc.
