Pore-filled electrolyte membranes for facile fabrication of long-term stable dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Pore-filled electrolyte membranes (PFEMs) have been prepared by employing an optimized porous substrate and stable electrolyte composition for a facile manufacturing process of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The PFEMs could be easily loaded into a photovoltaic device without adding a traditional electrolyte injection through a hole. In order to meet the requirements of both high energy conversion efficiency and proper long-term stability, three different solvents with high boiling point, i.e. valeronitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethylacetamide, were appropriately mixed as a volumetric ratio of 7:2:1, respectively. As a result, similar conductivity and viscosity as well as better chemical stability were obtained compared to those of conventional 3-methoxypropionitrile-based electrolyte. In addition, linear relations were observed between the photovoltaic efficiency and porous film properties (i.e. porosity and tortuosity). The DSSC employing the PFEM doped with the mixed solvent based electrolyte exhibited the photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 6.30% at one sun condition. Moreover, the long-term stability test fixed at an elevated temperature of 85 degrees C exhibited outstanding durability of DSSC for 500 h. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.