Research on the Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Based on P(VDF-HFP)-type Polymer Gel Electrolyte

A quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) was fabricated using poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)] as a polymer gelator to form gel electrolyte. The differential scanning calorimetry measurement showed the solution-to-gel transition temperature (T-SG) of the gel was about 71 degrees C. It was found that the gelation decreased the apparent diffusion coefficient (D-app) values of triiodide and iodide ions and the conductivity in electrolyte. The influence of gelation on the charge recombination at the dyed TiO2 mesoscopic electrode/electrolyte interface was investigated by adopting a linear sweep voltammetry technology. The result showed that the gelation increased the dark reaction at the dyed TiO2 mesoscopic electrode/electrolyte interface. The result of the accelerated aging test showed that the gel electrolyte based DSC exhibited much better stability than the device based on the liquid electrolyte.