Quasi-solid state electrolytes with silica nanomaterial for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells

TLDR: In this article, the authors used an appropriate method of synthesis for activated silica nanoparticles and silane coupling agents with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propionitrile, Trimethoxy[3-(methylamino)propyl]silane, Triethoxyoctylsilane and octadecyltrimethoxoxy silane.

Abstract: : Silica nanoparticles were synthesized with various silane coupling agents to make specific pathway of electrons and anti-recombination system when solidifying liquid electrolytes. In this study, we used an appropriate method of synthesis for activated silica nanoparticles and silane coupling agents with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propionitrile, Trimethoxy[3-(methylamino)propyl]silane, Triethoxyoctylsilane, and octadecyltrimethoxy silane. Dye-sensitized solar cells using solidified electrolytes with silica nanoparticles exhibit comparatively excellent efficiency, ranging from 2.3 to 7.0% under similar conditions. For the fast two decades, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been intensively studied because of their advantages such as low production cost, high conversion efficiency, environmental friendliness, and easy fabrication procedure. 1-6 A typical DSSC is comprised of TiO 2 working electrode with dye molecules on transparent conductive oxide (TCO) glass, platinum coated counter electrode, and a liquid electrolytes with redox couple (I