Polymeric Electrolyte Thin Film for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Application

Abstract

In this paper, the possibility of replacing liquid electrolyte in a dye sensitized solar cells with a thin film of conductive polymer material was investigated. Liquid electrolyte in the construction of dye sensitized solar cells leaks and evaporates and leads to corrosion of the electrode, which lowers the conversion efficiency of solar radiation to electricity. The research focuses on the appropriate doping of the PVDF-HFP polymer by potassium iodide to improve its electrical conductivity and the development of thin film deposition technology for use in solar cells. Changes in PVDF-HFP surface morphology were researched through increasing of the potassium iodide content measured by scanning electron microscope. The increased content of potassium iodide also led to increased electrical conductivity measured by the Keithley meter. In order to test the suitability of developed materials for application in the construction of photovoltaic cells, a series of dye-sensitized solar cells ITO/TiO2/dye/active layer/Al were prepared. The active layer is made from pure PVDF-HFP and doped with potassium iodide. As a reference solar cell, a standard dye sensitized solar cell with a liquid electrolyte and a counter electrode was also made. Keywords PVDF-HFP; Polyelectrolyte; Dye-sensitized solar cells