A quasi solid state dye-sensitized solar cell based on poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/SBA-15 nanocomposite membrane

Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/SBA-15 molecular sieves (designated as P(VDF-HFP)/SBA-15) nanocomposite membranes were prepared by a solution casting method. Prior to blending, the SBA-15 molecular sieves were impregnated with dimethylpropylimidazolium iodide (DMPII) ionic liquid. The P(VDF-HFP)/SBA-15 nanocomposite membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The room temperature ionic conductivity of the P(VDF-HFP)/SBA-15A nanocomposite polymer electrolyte was of the order of around 10−3 S cm−1. The quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled by using photo-electrodes of TiO2 films on FTO/glass and the counter electrode based on the pulsed-plated Pt films. P(VDF-HFP)/I-SBA-15 nanocomposite electrolyte membrane containing dimethylpropylimidazolium iodide (DMPII) provides the best energy conversion efficiency of ca. 5.29%. This result indicates that the P(VDF-HFP)/I-SBA-15 nanocomposite membrane is a good candidate for a quasi-solid-state DSSC applications.

► P(VDF-HFP)/SBA-15 nanocomposite membranes in DSSCs was prepared by a solution casting method.
► The ionic conductivity of the P(VDF-HFP) electrolyte membranes were improved by addition of an optimal quantity of I-SBA-15 fillers, because the mesoporous SBA-15 fillers act as a micro-electrolyte reservoir, trapping DMPII within its mesoporous stricture.
► DSSC devices based on P(VDF-HFP)/I-SBA-15 nanocomposite membrane produced the highest conversion efficiency of ca. 5.29%, while illuminated at 100 mW cm−2.