Influence of potassium iodide in polyvinyl alcohol-based gel polymer electrolyte for efficiency enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells

• Main Authors: Abdul Aziz, Mohd Fareezuan, Mohd Abid, Mohd Asyadi 'Azam, S. N. F. Yusuf, M. H. Buraidah, A. K. Arof
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media B.V 2022
• Online Access: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/26269/2/2022%20MF%20AZIZ%20J.POLYMER%20RESEARCH%20INFLUENCE%20OF%20POTASSIUM%20IODIDE%20IN%20POLYVINYL%20ALCOHOL-BASED%20GPE%20FOR%20EFFICIENCY%20ENHANCEMENT%20OF%20DSSC.PDF; http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/26269/; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10965-022-03305-x
• Institution: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka

This study investigates the impact of small cations on improving conductivity and efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The work includes preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) containing tetramethyl ammonium iodide (TMAI) and potassium iodide (KI) salts. The degree of crystallinity of the GPEs has been determined from x-ray diffraction (XRD). From electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the gel polymer electrolyte with only TMAI salt exhibits a conductivity of 1.72 mS cm−1. On addition of KI salt, conductivity increased up to a maximum of 7.87 mS cm−1 for the GPE comprising 70 wt. % KI. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with GPE comprising 100 wt. % TMAI – 0 wt. % KI exhibits a short-current density, Jsc of 6.60 mA cm−2 and open-circuit voltage, Voc of 0.56 V. The fill factor, ff, and efficiency, η, obtained are 79% and 2.92%, respectively. The existence of a small cation K+ in the GPE enhances DSSCs performance with GPE consisting of a 3:7 weight ratio between TMAI and KI exhibits Jsc of 11.30 mA cm−2 and Voc of 0.60 V. The acquired fill factor, ff, and efficiency, η, are 74% and 5.02%, respectively.