Effects of NiO/TiO₂ Mixed Nanoparticles on Quasi-Solid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract:

In this work, a magnetic polymer electrolyte composed by agarose as polymer matrix, NMP as solvent and NiO/TiO₂ mixed nanoparticles as modifier was investigated and employed in the solid-sate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The influence of NiO/TiO₂ mixed nanoparticles on the morphology and ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte was studied by SEM and electrochemical impedance spectra. From SEM analysis, the mixing of NiO with TiO₂ nanoparticle in polymer electrolyte leads to smooth surface of the polymer electrolyte films. The polymer electrolyte modified by mixed nanoparticles with NiO: TiO₂ ratio of 1:4 shows the maximum ionic conductivity of 6.64×10^-3 S·cm^-1. From photovoltaic performance study, the increase of NiO: TiO₂ ratio in polymer electrolyte leads to an improvement in light-to-electric conversion efficiency. The optimal photoelectric efficiency is achieved at NiO: TiO₂ ratio of 1: 4. Besides, after treatment under an external magnetic field, the DSSC modified with NiO: TiO₂ ratio of 1: 4 exhibits a better photovoltaic performance than that of DSSC without magnetic field treatment.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 898)
• Pages: 51-55
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.898.51
• Online since: February 2014
• Authors: Ying Yang, Jia Rui Cui, Peng Fei Yi, Xue Yi Guo*
• Keywords: Electrochemical Impedance Spectra, Ionic Conductivity, Magnetic Polymer Electrolyte, Nickel Oxide (NiO), Titanium Oxide

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