Preparation and characterization of a micro-porous polymer electrolyte based on polymeric ionic liquid for dye-sensitized solar cell

Poly (1-vinyl-3-propylimidazolium) iodide (P(ViPrIm(+)I(-))) was synthesized in an environmentally friendly way in order to develop a micro-porous polymer electrolyte for quasi-solid-state dye sensitized solar cells. The samples were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and Scanning Electron Microscope respectively. Moreover, the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes was measured by electrochemical workstation. The results indicated that the incorporation of P(ViPrIm(+)I(-)) component into the polymer matrix changed significantly the morphology and improved the electrochemical behavior of the gel polymer electrolyte. The P(ViPrIm(+)I(-)) can act as not only the polymer matrix but also the source of iodide. A dye-sensitized solar cell employing gel polymer electrolyte yielded an open-circuit voltage of 0.694 V, short-circuit current of 12.752 mAcm(-2) and the conversion efficiency of 5.66% at 1 sun illumination.