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Published on: June 28, 2017
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Functionalized polyurethane composite gel electrolyte with cosensitized photoanode for higher solar cell efficiency
Ravi Prakash1, Ishwar Chandra Maurya2, Pankaj Srivastava2
1School of Materials Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi-221005 India pmaiti.mst@itbhu.ac.in.
Nanoscale Advances
|September 22, 2022
Summary
This study enhanced polyurethane conductivity by chemically attaching graphene oxide, creating a semiconductor material suitable for solar cells. Functionalized materials achieved a 1.71% power conversion efficiency, demonstrating improved light harvesting and reduced recombination.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) conductivity is limited for energy applications.
- Graphene oxide (GO) offers excellent electrical properties but requires effective integration into polymer matrices.
- Functionalization of GO-TPU composites is necessary to optimize charge transport and material compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To chemically tag thermoplastic polyurethane with graphene oxide (GO).
- To functionalize the GO-tagged polyurethane with sulphonate groups to enhance conductivity.
- To fabricate and evaluate solar cell devices using these modified materials and quantum dots.
Main Methods:
- Chemical tagging of GO with TPU, followed by chain extension and sulphonate functionalization.
- Characterization using NMR, FTIR, UV, gel permeation chromatography, and thermal analysis.
- Fabrication of solar cells incorporating functionalized GO-TPU, CdS/CdSe quantum dots, and ZnSe passivation layers.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant electrical conductivity enhancement in GO-functionalized TPU (up to 1.07 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹).
- Prepared CdS and CdSe quantum dots with suitable properties for solar cell applications.
- Fabricated solar cells demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 1.71% due to improved light harvesting and reduced recombination.
Conclusions:
- Chemically modified graphene oxide-polyurethane composites exhibit semiconductor-like conductivity, suitable for gel electrolytes.
- The developed materials and device architecture significantly improve solar cell performance.
- This work highlights a promising strategy for developing advanced materials for efficient energy conversion devices.
