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Optimization of a Quasi‐Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Solar Cell Employing a Ureasil/Sulfolane Gel Electrolyte
Author(s) -
Stathatos E.,
Lianos P.,
Surca Vuk A.,
Orel B.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200304479
Subject(s) - materials science , electrolyte , solar cell , sulfolane , quasi solid , dye sensitized solar cell , photoelectrochemical cell , chemical engineering , sol gel , triethoxysilane , reagent , inorganic chemistry , electrode , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , chemistry , optoelectronics , solvent , engineering , composite material
A quasi‐solid‐state, dye‐sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cell employing a gel electrolyte obtained by sol–gel chemistry is described. The gel electrolyte is based on a ureasil precursor (i.e., a poly(propylene oxide) oligomer end‐capped by triethoxysilane groups through urea bridges) and sulfolane and it incorporates the I 3 – /I – redox couple. It is shown that the combination of these two reagents prevents crystallization of KI, thus ensuring a long life for the cell and a satisfactory overall efficiency that surpasses 5 %. Cell efficiency increases with temperature. Optimization of gel‐electrolyte performance has been obtained by studying mobility with fluorescence‐quenching techniques complemented by direct‐current conductivity measurements.