Suresh, T. and Joseph, J. and Son, K.M. and Vittal, R. and Lee, J. and Kim, K.J. (2007) Effects of pH of a hybrid gel incorporated with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane on the performance of a quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cell. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 91. pp. 1313-1318.

PDF Restricted to Registered users only Download (276Kb) | Request a copy

Abstract

Network hybrid gel prepared with tetraethyl orthosilicate, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) and poly(ethylene glycol) was used as an electrolyte matrix in a quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Change in pH of this hybrid gel by varying the composition of APS was found to have remarkable effects on the photoelectrochemical performance of the cell. The hybrid gel matrix, having silane polymer backbones with free amine functionality, was characterized by FT-IR spectra and FE-SEM images, and the assembled DSSC by photocurrent-voltage and incident photon to current conversion efficiency curves. The unsealed, quasi-solid state DSSC with the hybrid gel has shown an increase in the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and a steady decrease in the short-circuit photocurrent (Jsc), with increase in the content of APS. A maximum conversion efficiency of 4.5% was obtained for a DSSC by using 20% of APS in its hybrid gel at a light intensity of 100mWcm�2. Upon replacing the amino group of APS by bulkier aniline and benzophenoaniline groups, conversion efficiencies of the corresponding DSSCs were reduced. Variations in the Voc and Jsc are explained in terms of shift of the flat band potential of TiO2 and a complex formation between I3 � and �NH2 of APS of the electrolyte.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hybrid gel; 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane; Short-circuit photocurrent; Open-circuit voltage; Dye-sensitized solar cell
Subjects:	Electrodics and Electrocatalysis
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	ttbdar CECRI
Date Deposited:	26 Mar 2012 17:33
Last Modified:	26 Mar 2012 17:33
URI:	http://cecri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/830

Actions (login required)

View Item