PEDOT and derivatives tailored conducting gel electrolytes for high-efficiency quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Conducting gel electrolytes are promising in improving long-term durability and power conversion efficiency of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). We present here the synthesis of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), PEDOT-graphene complex and PEDOT-graphene/PtCo for robust conducting gel electrolytes. Arising from the enhanced electron concentration of PEDOT derivatives, the final gel electrolytes show superior catalytic activity toward redox I−/I3− couples. Upon illumination by simulated sunlight (air mass 1.5, 100 mW cm−2), the corresponding quasi-solid-state DSSC device yields a power conversion efficiency as high as 8.2% in comparison to 5.5% for PEDOT derivative-free solar cell. Moreover, these PEDOT and derivatives tailored photovoltaics are also featured with good stability over 15 days.