Ionic liquid-tethered nanoparticle/poly(ionic liquid) electrolytes for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Ionic liquid-tethered TiO2 nanoparticles are prepared by tethering 1-methyl-3-[(triethoxysilyl)propyl]imidazolium chloride (TMICl) to TiO2 nanoparticles. The quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells containing 15 wt% of ionic liquid-tethered nanoparticle/poly(ionic liquid) hybrid electrolytes show an overall power conversion efficiency of ∼5.67% under simulated AM 1.5 solar spectrum irradiation at 50 mW cm−2. Compared with unmodified TiO2 nanoparticles, ionic liquid-tethered nanoparticle based hybrid gel electrolytes show enhanced short circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc), photoelectric conversion efficiency (η), and better long-term stability of the devices. These results indicate that the cells based on ionic liquid-tethered nanoparticle hybrid electrolytes could overcome the drawbacks of volatile liquid electrolytes, and offer a feasible method to fabricate quasi-solid-state DSSCs in future practical applications.

Graphical abstractThe quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells based on ionic liquid tethered TiO2/poly(ionic liquid) were fabricated and characterized.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We synthesize ionic liquid (IL) tethered TiO2 nanoparticles. ► We fabricate IL-TiO2/poly(ionic liquid) quasi-solid-state electrolytes. ► The quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells show a power conversion efficiency of 5.26%. ► The quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells show excellent long-term stability.