[en] With the purpose of achieving highly stable and efficient polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications, a series of new poly(ionic liquids) (PILs), namely, poly(1-N-ethylimidazoliumpentylpolydimethylsiloxane)iodide, with different ratios of pentylimidazolium iodide moieties, have been studied and employed to prepare solid-state electrolytes for DSSCs. PILs were further mixed with two types of ionic liquids (ILs), 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (MPII) and 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (MPITFSI), and a plasticizer, such as ethylene carbonate (EC), to lower their viscosity and to increase the diffusion coefficient and ionic conductivity. The assembled devices prepared, using the quasi-solid-state electrolytes showed, light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies up to 6% for an active area of 0.2064 cm2. After 250 days, PIL-based cells retained 84% of their initial efficiency. These new findings encourage worldwide practical applications of DSSCs.
O'Regan, B.; Grätzel, M. A Low-Cost, High-Efficiency Solar Cell Based on Dye-Sensitized Colloidal "2 Films. Nature 1991, 353 (6346), 737-740, 10.1038/353737a0
Hernandez, J. L.; Yoshikawa, K.; Feltrin, A.; Menou, N.; Valckx, N.; Van Assche, E.; Poortmans, J.; Adachi, D.; Yoshimi, M.; Uto, T.; Uzu, H.; Kuchiyama, T.; Allebe, C.; Nakanishi, N.; Terashita, T.; Fujimoto, T.; Koizumi, G.; Yamamoto, K. Technical Digest 21st International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (Fukuoka, Japan), 2011; pp 3A-1O-05.
Green, M. A.; Emery, K.; Hishikawa, Y.; Warta, W.; Dunlop, E. D. Solar Cell Efficiency Tables (Version 47). Prog. Photovoltaics 2016, 24 (1), 3-11, 10.1002/pip.2728
Yella, A.; Lee, H.-W.; Tsao, H. N.; Yi, C.; Chandiran, A. K.; Nazeeruddin, M. K.; Diau, E. W.-G.; Yeh, C.-Y.; Zakeeruddin, S. M.; Gratzel, M. Porphyrin-Sensitized Solar Cells with Cobalt (II/III)-Based Redox Electrolyte Exceed 12% Efficiency. Science 2011, 334 (6056), 629-634, 10.1126/science.1209688
Kakiage, K.; Aoyama, Y.; Yano, T.; Oya, K.; Fujisawa, J.; Hanaya, M. Highly-Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Collaborative Sensitization by Silyl-Anchor and Carboxy-Anchor Dyes. Chem. Commun. 2015, 51 (88), 15894-15897, 10.1039/C5CC06759F
Mathew, S.; Yella, A.; Gao, P.; Humphry-Baker, R.; Curchod, B. F.; Ashari-Astani, N.; Tavernelli, I.; Rothlisberger, U.; Nazeeruddin, M. K.; Grätzel, M. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with 13% Efficiency Achieved through the Molecular Engineering of Porphyrin Sensitizers. Nat. Chem. 2014, 6 (3), 242-247, 10.1038/nchem.1861
Kumara, G. R. A.; Konno, A.; Shiratsuchi, K.; Tsukahara, J.; Tennakone, K. Dye-Sensitized Solid-State Solar Cells: Use of Crystal Growth Inhibitors for Deposition of the Hole Collector. Chem. Mater. 2002, 14 (3), 954-955, 10.1021/cm011595f
Tennakone, K.; Senadeera, G. K. R.; De Silva, D.; Kottegoda, I. R. M. Highly Stable Dye-Sensitized Solid-State Solar Cell with the Semiconductor 4CuBr 3S (C4H9) 2 as the Hole Collector. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2000, 77, 2367, 10.1063/1.1312858
Bach, U.; Lupo, D.; Comte, P.; Moser, J. E.; Weissörtel, F.; Salbeck, J.; Spreitzer, H.; Grätzel, M. Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Mesoporous "2 Solar Cells with High Photon-to-Electron Conversion Efficiencies. Nature 1998, 395 (6702), 583-585, 10.1038/26936
Karthikeyan, C. S.; Wietasch, H.; Thelakkat, M. Highly Efficient Solid-State Dye-Sensitized "2 Solar Cells Using Donor-Antenna Dyes Capable of Multistep Charge-Transfer Cascades. Adv. Mater. 2007, 19 (8), 1091-1095, 10.1002/adma.200601872
Sepehrifard, A.; Kamino, B. A.; Bender, T. P.; Morin, S. Siliconized Triarylamines As Redox Mediator in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2012, 4 (11), 6211-6215, 10.1021/am301812d
Hsu, C.-Y.; Chen, Y.-C.; Lin, R. Y.-Y.; Ho, K.-C.; Lin, J. T. Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Spirofluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD) and Arylamines as Hole Transporting Materials. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2012, 14 (41), 14099-14109, 10.1039/c2cp41326d
Zhang, W.; Zhu, R.; Li, F.; Wang, Q.; Liu, B. High-Performance Solid-State Organic Dye Sensitized Solar Cells with P3HT as Hole Transporter. J. Phys. Chem. C 2011, 115 (14), 7038-7043, 10.1021/jp1118597
Wang, M.; Pan, X.; Fang, X.; Guo, L.; Zhang, C.; Huang, Y.; Huo, Z.; Dai, S. Liquid Crystal Based Electrolyte with Light Trapping Scheme for Enhancing Photovoltaic Performance of Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Power Sources 2011, 196 (13), 5784-5791, 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.02.051
Wu, C.; Jia, L.; Guo, S.; Han, S.; Chi, B.; Pu, J.; Jian, L. Open-Circuit Voltage Enhancement on the Basis of Polymer Gel Electrolyte for a Highly Stable Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2013, 5 (16), 7886-7892, 10.1021/am4019548
Ahn, S. K.; Ban, T.; Sakthivel, P.; Lee, J. W.; Gal, Y.-S.; Lee, J.-K.; Kim, M.-R.; Jin, S.-H. Development of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Composed of Liquid Crystal Embedded, Electrospun Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride-Co-Hexafluoropropylene) Nanofibers as Polymer Gel Electrolytes. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2012, 4 (4), 2096-2100, 10.1021/am3000598
Shi, Y.; Wang, K.; Du, Y.; Zhang, H.; Gu, J.; Zhu, C.; Wang, L.; Guo, W.; Hagfeldt, A.; Wang, N.; Ma, T. Solid-State Synthesis of ZnO Nanostructures for Quasi-Solid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with High Efficiencies up to 6.46%. Adv. Mater. 2013, 25 (32), 4413-4419, 10.1002/adma.201301852
Cho, W.; Lim, J.; Kim, T.-Y.; Kim, Y. R.; Song, D.; Park, T.; Fabregat-Santiago, F.; Bisquert, J.; Kang, Y. S. Electron-Transfer Kinetics through Interfaces between Electron-Transport and Ion-Transport Layers in Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Utilizing Solid Polymer Electrolyte. J. Phys. Chem. C 2016, 120 (5), 2494-2500, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b09259
Chen, X.; Li, Q.; Zhao, J.; Qiu, L.; Zhang, Y.; Sun, B.; Yan, F. Ionic Liquid-Tethered Nanoparticle/Poly (Ionic Liquid) Electrolytes for Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Power Sources 2012, 207, 216-221, 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.01.143
Kowsari, E.; Chirani, M. R. High Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Tetra Alkyl Ammonium Cation-Based Ionic Liquid Functionalized Graphene Oxide as a Novel Additive in Nanocomposite Electrolyte. Carbon 2017, 118, 384-392, 10.1016/j.carbon.2017.03.074
Wang, P.; Zakeeruddin, S. M.; Moser, J. E.; Nazeeruddin, M. K.; Sekiguchi, T.; Grätzel, M. A Stable Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with an Amphiphilic Ruthenium Sensitizer and Polymer Gel Electrolyte. Nat. Mater. 2003, 2 (6), 402-407, 10.1038/nmat904
Mohmeyer, N.; Wang, P.; Schmidt, H.-W.; Zakeeruddin, S. M.; Grätzel, M. Quasi-Solid-State Dye Sensitized Solar Cells with 1, 3:2, 4-Di-O-Benzylidene-D-Sorbitol Derivatives as Low Molecular Weight Organic Gelators. J. Mater. Chem. 2004, 14 (12), 1905-1909, 10.1039/B402324B
Lu, S.; Koeppe, R.; Günes, S.; Sariciftci, N. S. Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Cyanoacrylate as Electrolyte Matrix. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 2007, 91 (12), 1081-1086, 10.1016/j.solmat.2007.03.002
Lu, J.; Yan, F.; Texter, J. Advanced Applications of Ionic Liquids in Polymer Science. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2009, 34 (5), 431-448, 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.001
Zhao, J.; Shen, X.; Yan, F.; Qiu, L.; Lee, S.; Sun, B. Solvent-Free Ionic Liquid/Poly (Ionic Liquid) Electrolytes for Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Mater. Chem. 2011, 21 (20), 7326-7330, 10.1039/c1jm10346f
Chang, L.-Y.; Lee, C.-P.; Li, C.-T.; Yeh, M.-H.; Ho, K.-C.; Lin, J.-J. Synthesis of a Novel Amphiphilic Polymeric Ionic Liquid and Its Application in Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Mater. Chem. A 2014, 2 (48), 20814-20822, 10.1039/C4TA05436A
Wang, G.; Yan, C.; Zhang, J.; Hou, S.; Zhang, W. Highly Efficient Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Hexylimidazolium Iodide Ionic Polymer Electrolyte Prepared by in Situ Low-Temperature Polymerization. J. Power Sources 2017, 345, 131-136, 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.01.120
Pang, H.-W.; Yu, H.-F.; Huang, Y.-J.; Li, C.-T.; Ho, K.-C. Electrospun Membranes of Imidazole-Grafted PVDF-HFP Polymeric Ionic Liquids for Highly Efficient Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Mater. Chem. A 2018, 10.1039/C8TA01215F
Mark, J. E. Overview of Siloxane Polymers. ACS Symposium Series 2000, 729, 1-10, 10.1021/bk-2000-0729.ch001
Hooper, R.; Lyons, L. J.; Mapes, M. K.; Schumacher, D.; Moline, D. A.; West, R. Highly Conductive Siloxane Polymers. Macromolecules 2001, 34 (4), 931-936, 10.1021/ma0018446
Walkowiak, M.; Schroeder, G.; Gierczyk, B.; Waszak, D.; Osińska, M. New Lithium Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolytes Based on Polysiloxane Grafted with Si-Tripodand Centers. Electrochem. Commun. 2007, 9 (7), 1558-1562, 10.1016/j.elecom.2007.02.019
Ren, Y.; Zhang, Z.; Gao, E.; Fang, S.; Cai, S. A Dye-Sensitized Nanoporous "2 Photoelectrochemical Cell with Novel Gel Network Polymer Electrolyte. J. Appl. Electrochem. 2001, 31 (4), 445-447, 10.1023/A:1017523901804
Cipolla, M. P.; De Gregorio, G. L.; Grisorio, R.; Giannuzzi, R.; Gigli, G.; Suranna, G. P.; Manca, M. An Ion Conductive Polysiloxane as Effective Gel Electrolyte for Long Stable Dye Solar Cells. J. Power Sources 2017, 356, 191-199, 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.04.080
Srour, H.; Leocmach, M.; Maffeis, V.; Ghogia, A. C.; Denis-Quanquin, S.; Taberlet, N.; Manneville, S.; Andraud, C.; Bucher, C.; Monnereau, C. Poly (Ionic Liquid) s with Controlled Architectures and Their Use in the Making of Ionogels with High Conductivity and Tunable Rheological Properties. Polym. Chem. 2016, 7 (43), 6608-6616, 10.1039/C6PY01138A
Singh, P. K.; Bhattacharya, B.; Nagarale, R. K.; Pandey, S. P.; Kim, K.-W.; Rhee, H.-W. Ionic Liquid Doped Poly(N-Methyl 4-Vinylpyridine Iodide) Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Synth. Met. 2010, 160 (9-10), 950-954, 10.1016/j.synthmet.2010.02.006
Bharwal, A. K.; Nguyen, N. A.; Iojoiu, C.; Henrist, C.; Alloin, F. New Polysiloxane Bearing Imidazolium Iodide Side Chain as Electrolyte for Photoelectrochemical Cell. Solid State Ionics 2017, 307, 6-13, 10.1016/j.ssi.2017.05.004
Lin, B.; Feng, T.; Chu, F.; Zhang, S.; Yuan, N.; Qiao, G.; Ding, J. Poly (Ionic Liquid)/Ionic Liquid/Graphene Oxide Composite Quasi Solid-State Electrolytes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. RSC Adv. 2015, 5 (70), 57216-57222, 10.1039/C5RA10702D
Choi, U. H.; Liang, S.; O'Reilly, M. V.; Winey, K. I.; Runt, J.; Colby, R. H. Influence of Solvating Plasticizer on Ion Conduction of Polysiloxane Single-Ion Conductors. Macromolecules 2014, 47 (9), 3145-3153, 10.1021/ma500146v
Le, M. L. P.; Alloin, F.; Strobel, P.; Leprêtre, J.-C.; Pérez del Valle, C.; Judeinstein, P. Structure-Properties Relationships of Lithium Electrolytes Based on Ionic Liquid. J. Phys. Chem. B 2010, 114 (2), 894-903, 10.1021/jp9098842
Abate, A.; Petrozza, A.; Roiati, V.; Guarnera, S.; Snaith, H.; Matteucci, F.; Lanzani, G.; Metrangolo, P.; Resnati, G. A Polyfluoroalkyl Imidazolium Ionic Liquid as Iodide Ion Source in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. Org. Electron. 2012, 13 (11), 2474-2478, 10.1016/j.orgel.2012.07.009
Peng, B.; Jungmann, G.; Jäger, C.; Haarer, D.; Schmidt, H.-W.; Thelakkat, M. Systematic Investigation of the Role of Compact "2 Layer in Solid State Dye-Sensitized "2 Solar Cells. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2004, 248 (13-14), 1479-1489, 10.1016/j.ccr.2004.02.008
Papageorgiou, N.; Grätzel, M.; Infelta, P. P. On the Relevance of Mass Transport in Thin Layer Nanocrystalline Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 1996, 44 (4), 405-438, 10.1016/S0927-0248(96)00050-5
Berginc, M.; Opara Krašovec, U.; Jankovec, M.; Topič, M. The Effect of Temperature on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Propyl-Methyl-Imidazolium Iodide Electrolyte. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 2007, 91 (9), 821-828, 10.1016/j.solmat.2007.02.001
Fei, Z.; Kuang, D.; Zhao, D.; Klein, C.; Ang, W. H.; Zakeeruddin, S. M.; Grätzel, M.; Dyson, P. J. A Supercooled Imidazolium Iodide Ionic Liquid as a Low-Viscosity Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Inorg. Chem. 2006, 45 (26), 10407-10409, 10.1021/ic061232n
De Gregorio, G. L.; Giannuzzi, R.; Cipolla, M. P.; Agosta, R.; Grisorio, R.; Capodilupo, A.; Suranna, G. P.; Gigli, G.; Manca, M. Iodopropyl-Branched Polysiloxane Gel Electrolytes with Improved Ionic Conductivity upon Cross-Linking. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50 (90), 13904-13906, 10.1039/C4CC05152A
Hagfeldt, A.; Graetzel, M. Light-Induced Redox Reactions in Nanocrystalline Systems. Chem. Rev. 1995, 95 (1), 49-68, 10.1021/cr00033a003
Wang, P.; Zakeeruddin, S. M.; Comte, P.; Charvet, R.; Humphry-Baker, R.; Grätzel, M. Enhance the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Co-Grafting Amphiphilic Sensitizer and Hexadecylmalonic Acid on "2 Nanocrystals. J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107 (51), 14336-14341, 10.1021/jp0365965
Nazeeruddin, M. K.; Kay, A.; Rodicio, I.; Humphry-Baker, R.; Müller, E.; Liska, P.; Vlachopoulos, N.; Grätzel, M. Conversion of Light to Electricity by Cis-X2bis (2,2′-Bipyridyl-4,4′-Dicarboxylate) Ruthenium (II) Charge-Transfer Sensitizers (X = Cl-, Br-, I-, CN-, and SCN-) on Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide Electrodes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115 (14), 6382-6390, 10.1021/ja00067a063
Tokuda, H.; Hayamizu, K.; Ishii, K.; Susan, M. A. B. H.; Watanabe, M. Physicochemical Properties and Structures of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids. 2. Variation of Alkyl Chain Length in Imidazolium Cation. J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109 (13), 6103-6110, 10.1021/jp044626d
Kambe, S.; Nakade, S.; Kitamura, T.; Wada, Y.; Yanagida, S. Influence of the Electrolytes on Electron Transport in Mesoporous "2-Electrolyte Systems. J. Phys. Chem. B 2002, 106 (11), 2967-2972, 10.1021/jp013397h
Komiya, R.; Han, L.; Yamanaka, R.; Islam, A.; Mitate, T. Highly Efficient Quasi-Solid State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte. J. Photochem. Photobiol., A 2004, 164 (1), 123-127, 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2003.11.015
Rong, Y.; Li, X.; Liu, G.; Wang, H.; Ku, Z.; Xu, M.; Liu, L.; Hu, M.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, M.; Liu, T.; Han, H. Monolithic Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Iodine-Free Polymer Gel Electrolyte. J. Power Sources 2013, 235, 243-250, 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.02.032
Rong, Y.; Ku, Z.; Xu, M.; Liu, L.; Hu, M.; Yang, Y.; Chen, J.; Mei, A.; Liu, T.; Han, H. Efficient Monolithic Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Poly (Ionic Liquids) and Carbon Counter Electrodes. RSC Adv. 2014, 4 (18), 9271-9274, 10.1039/c3ra47084a
Choi, U. H.; Liang, S.; O'Reilly, M. V.; Winey, K. I.; Runt, J.; Colby, R. H. Influence of Solvating Plasticizer on Ion Conduction of Polysiloxane Single-Ion Conductors. Macromolecules 2014, 47 (9), 3145-3153, 10.1021/ma500146v
Kubo, W.; Murakoshi, K.; Kitamura, T.; Yoshida, S.; Haruki, M.; Hanabusa, K.; Shirai, H.; Wada, Y.; Yanagida, S. Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized "2 Solar Cells: Effective Charge Transport in Mesoporous Space Filled with Gel Electrolytes Containing Iodide and Iodine. J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105 (51), 12809-12815, 10.1021/jp012026y
Thorsmølle, V. K.; Rothenberger, G.; Topgaard, D.; Brauer, J. C.; Kuang, D.-B.; Zakeeruddin, S. M.; Lindman, B.; Grätzel, M.; Moser, J.-E. Extraordinarily Efficient Conduction in a Redox-Active Ionic Liquid. ChemPhysChem 2011, 12 (1), 145-149, 10.1002/cphc.201000819
Hwang, D.; Kim, D. Y.; Jo, S. M.; Armel, V.; MacFarlane, D. R.; Kim, D.; Jang, S.-Y. Highly Efficient Plastic Crystal Ionic Conductors for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Sci. Rep. 2013, 3, 3520, 10.1038/srep03520
Cao-Cen, H.; Zhao, J.; Qiu, L.; Xu, D.; Li, Q.; Chen, X.; Yan, F. High Performance All-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Cyanobiphenyl-Functionalized Imidazolium-Type Ionic Crystals. J. Mater. Chem. 2012, 22, 12842, 10.1039/c2jm31551c
Kern, R.; Sastrawan, R.; Ferber, J.; Stangl, R.; Luther, J. Modeling and Interpretation of Electrical Impedance Spectra of Dye Solar Cells Operated under Open-Circuit Conditions. Electrochim. Acta 2002, 47 (26), 4213-4225, 10.1016/S0013-4686(02)00444-9
Wang, Q.; Moser, J.-E.; Grätzel, M. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Analysis of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109 (31), 14945-14953, 10.1021/jp052768h
Lee, C.-P.; Lin, L.-Y.; Chen, P.-Y.; Vittal, R.; Ho, K.-C. All-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Incorporating SWCNTs and Crystal Growth Inhibitor. J. Mater. Chem. 2010, 20 (18), 3619, 10.1039/b925221e
Zhang, Y.; Zhao, J.; Sun, B.; Chen, X.; Li, Q.; Qiu, L.; Yan, F. Performance Enhancement for Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Using Acid-Oxidized Carbon Nanotube-Based Gel Electrolytes. Electrochim. Acta 2012, 61, 185-190, 10.1016/j.electacta.2011.12.003