Choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents as effective electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Electrolytes are critical for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) but pose challenges for commercialization.
• Current electrolytes often involve expensive or toxic materials, limiting large-scale application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, low-cost, and biodegradable deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for DSSCs.
• To evaluate the performance of these DESs as electrolytes in DSSC devices.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized two DES electrolytes: choline chloride with urea and choline chloride with ethylene glycol.
• Fabricated and tested DSSC devices using the developed DES electrolytes.
• Characterized device performance using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Main Results:

• DES electrolytes demonstrated simple preparation, low cost, and biodegradability.
• Devices with choline chloride/urea showed enhanced open-circuit voltage (VOC).
• Devices with choline chloride/ethylene glycol exhibited increased short-circuit current (ISC).
• Performance was comparable to a conventional ionic liquid electrolyte.

Conclusions:

• Choline chloride-based DESs are promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternatives for DSSC electrolytes.
• The specific DES composition influences the enhancement of either VOC or ISC.
• These findings support the use of DESs for the massive production of sustainable solar cells.