Papers by Keyword: Gel Electrolyte

Abstract: In this work, a series of novel polymer gel electrolytes with 3D network as ion channels were extensively investigated. Four type polyesters, which are poly (glutaric acid pentaerythritol ester) (PGAPE), poly (adipic acid pentaerythritol ester) (PAAPE), poly (suberic acid pentaerythritol ester) (PSAPE) and poly (pentanedioic acid pentaerythritol ester) (PPAPE), were successfully developed for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with a maximum PCE of 5.32% under AM 1.5 illumination. Photoelectrochemical measurements of the DSCs were conducted by using electrochemical workstation. The present findings indicate that the 3D network structure of polyesters can facilitate the ionic transport and improve the PCE of the DSCs.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) doped with reduced graphene oxide, rGO also known as graphene were fabricated at concentrations of 0.01 wt.% . The performance of TiO₂/graphene based DSSC and TiO₂ based DSSC were studied using electrolytes; PAN-based gel electrolyte. The thin films were characterized using several characterizations such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and current-voltage (I-V) measurement. The micrograph images obtained by SEM demonstrated that the thin films are highly porous. The XRD characterization showed that the crystalline particle of thin films is an anatase state and high percentage of carbon composition can be determined using EDX analysis. Through I-V characteristic, the current density J_sc, open circuit-voltage V_oc, fill-factor FF, and efficiency η of the TiO₂-based DSSC were 0.196 mA/cm2, 0.44 V, 0.496 and 0.043% respectively. I-V characteristic showed an increase in values for rGO/TiO₂ based DSSC such as J_sc = 1.177 mA/cm2, V_oc = 0.66 V, FF = 0.656 and η = 0.509%. The addition of rGO concentration has improved the efficiency of DSSC while the use of electrolyte gel can sustain the stability of the cell.

Abstract: A kind of new plasticizer glycerol carbonate (GC) was synthesized. The poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate) (P(AN-MMA)) was prepared by bulk polymerization. During the polymerization, glycerol carbonate with 1M lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) was added to (P(AN-MMA)) to form the gel electrolyte. The effect of the plasticizer on the conductivity of the copolymer electrolyte was studied. The ionic conductivity was found to be 3.3 × 10^-4 S·cm^-1 at room temperature via AC impedance measurement.

Abstract: Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have been fabricated by using polymer gel electrolyte consisting of ionic liquids in a composite polymers of siloxane and ethylene oxide groups. The structure of those DSSCs are ITO/Ti:ZnO/TiO₂/Ru-dye/gel electrolyte/Pt/ITO, with active area of about 0,5 cm². At this preliminary work, the structure parameters and fabrication procedures had not been optimized for achieving the best performance, but it had been carefully controlled to be same for all fabricated DSSCs. Those DSSCs shows the solar cell performance similar to that observed in DSSCs fabricated in the same cell structure but using conventional electrolyte solution. They exhibit better open voltage and filling factor, which is suggested to the reduction of charge carrier recombination probably taking place at the double layer region formed at the electrode interfaces. This is consistent with their impedance spectrum which is dominated by a Warburg-like characteristics indicating a diffusion limited migration process. It seems then the cell performances is improved by the reduction of charge recombination loss but restricted by diffusion limited ion migration process.

Abstract: The effect of propanetriol on the electrochemical properties of nanofumed silica gel of Valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries have been investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The results show that with the adding of propanetriol the redox peak current density of the lead electrode greatly increases and the reaction resistance reduces obviously. Additionally, the oxygen reactions take place less easily in the gels containing propanetriol. The content of the additive propanetriol also relates with the gel properties. It is proved that the electrochemical properties of gel contained excessive propanetriol (4wt. %) are not as good as that contain 1wt.%~3wt.%.

Abstract: In this article, we present a new composite gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), with butylamine (BA) and propylene carbonate (PC) intercalated α-Zirconium phosphate (ZrP-BA-PC) as solid fillers dispersed in polyethlene oxide (PEO) polymer. The ionic electrical conductivity was markedly improved with the ZrP-BA-PC additive at ambient temperature. The DSSC with 5 wt% ZrP addition into the electrolyte obtained the maximum photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 6.61 % under 100 mW/cm^-2 irradiation.

Abstract: Ordered Mesoporous Silica with Uniform Pore Size Was Prepared by Using Pluronic P123 as the Structure-Directing Agent. their Characteristics Were Analysized by TEM and a N₂ Adsorption System. Ionic Liquid-Based Gel Electrolyte Was Fabricated by Using Ordered Mesoporous Silica as the Framework Materials to Solidify Ionic Liquid Electrolyte. the Diffusion Coefficient of I₃^- in Gel Electrolyte Is Higher than that in Ionic Liquid Electrolyte due to the Formation of Favorable Channel for I₃^- Diffusion. the Optimized Overall Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Ionic Liquid-Based Gel Electrolyte Was 5.22% under Irradiation of 60 MW Cm^-2.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon (MC) materials with surface area of 400 m²g^-1 were prepared and incorporated into the polymer gel electrolyte comprising of polyvinylidene fluoride and 1-methyl-3-hexylimidazolium iodide to fabricate the composite gel electrolytes. The photovoltaic performance of the quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells was improved through incorporating MC into electrolyte. The dye-sensitized solar cell with composite gel electrolyte containing 3 wt% MC achieved the best photovoltaic performance, and the corresponding open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, fill factor and overall conversion efficiency were 0.59V, 13.22 mAcm^-2, 0.66 and 5.15%, respectively. The stability of dye-sensitized solar cells with composite gel electrolyte was far superior to the cell with organic liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon (MC) materials with wormhole-like mesopores were prepared and incorporated into the polymer gel electrolyte comprising of polyvinylidene fluoride and 1-methyl-3-hexylimidazolium iodide. These gel composites were employed as the electrolyte for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. The photovoltaic performance of the quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells improved through incorporating MC into electrolyte. The dye-sensitized solar cell with composite gel electrolyte containing 3 wt% MC achieved the best photovoltaic performance, and the corresponding open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, fill factor and overall conversion efficiency were 0.59V, 13.22 mAcm-2, 0.66 and 5.15%, respectively. The stability of dye-sensitized solar cells with composite gel electrolyte was found to be far superior to the cell with organic liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: The Li/S polymer secondary batteries presents higher capacity, lower materials cost and much better performance in higher operation temperature. A nano-scale sulfur polymer composite cathode material has been developed for these batteries, and its cycle capacity is over 700mAh/g when the lithium metal is used as the anode; A nano-scale Cu/Sn alloy powder has been synthesized by a novel micro-emulsion process, its cycle capacity is over 300 mAh/g; The performance of PVdF gel electrolyte has been improved through the addition of the nanometer SiO2 synthesized in-situ. The advanced Li/S polymer secondary batteries will be a promising alternative for next generation energy storage system.