Quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells assembled by in-situ chemical cross-linking at ambient temperature

Cross-linked gel polymer electrolytes containing aluminum oxide nanoparticles are successfully prepared using in-situ chemical cross-linking at room temperature after injection of the gel precursor into a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This makes it possible to directly solidify the electrolyte in the cell without leakage of solvent and to maintain close interfacial contact with the porous TiO2 electrode. The quasi-solid-state DSSC assembled with gel polymer electrolyte containing 20 wt.% Al2O3 particles yields an overall conversion efficiency of 5.25% under AM 1.5 illumination at 100 mW cm− 2.

► Cross-linked gel polymer electrolytes containing Al2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized.
► DSSSC was assembled by in-situ chemical cross-linking at room temperature.
► Quasi-solid-state DSSC exhibited a conversion efficiency of 5.25% at 100 mW cm− 2.