A novel organic ionic plastic crystal electrolyte for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 112; pp. 247 - 251
• Main Authors: Wang, Ye Feng, Zhang, Jie Min, Cui, Xiao Rui, Yang, Peng Cheng, Zeng, Jing Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2013
• Subjects: Cations; Crystals; Dyes; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrolytic cells; Iodides; Organic ionic plastic crystal; Photovoltaic cells; Solar cells; Solid electrolytes; Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell; Organic ionic plastic crystal; Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2013.08.159

An organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC) 2-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium iodide (choline iodide) as an important component in solid electrolyte is synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells. It allows relatively rapid diffusion of the redox couple through the plastic crystal phase that is critical to the cell performance. The novel material, utilizing strong quaternary ammonium cation 2-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium (HETA+) as a cation donor, is treated as matrix in electrolyte. At optimal condictions, the cell gives a short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) of 6mAcm−2, 0.69V and 63%, respectively. The corresponding overall conversion efficiency (η) is 2.5%. The results suggest that the OIPC is a promising solid electrolyte material for dye-sensitized solar cells applications.