Sonochemically tailored Copper Oxide as nanofiller in terpolymer composite gel electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2024

Abstract

This article describes the impact of several weight percentages of copper oxide (CuO) as a nanofiller on the structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). CuO-350 was synthesized using a sonochemical method following by calcination at 350 celcius and was incorporated into the polymer-salt system to develop a polymer composite gel electrolyte (PCGE). The improvement in the amorphous phase and complexation between the constituents were proven via X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared. However, the thermal stability declines with the addition of CuO-350 nanofillers. It was found that TCuO350-5 exhibited the highest ionic conductivity and apparent diffusion coefficient of triiodide of (3.49 +/- 0.01) x 10- 3 S cm- 1 and 1.48 x 10- 5 cm2 s - 1 , respectively. The best-performing sample among PCGE is found to be TCuO350-5, containing 5 wt% of CuO-350 with an efficiency of 7.69% with JSC of 23.47 mA cm- 2 , VOC of 0.62 V, and fill factor of 52.9%. In addition, it also has the highest charge collection efficiency (87.31%) and longest electron lifetime (1.446 s). TCuO350-5 has achieved the stability of the device with efficiency retained 92% at room temperature and retains 80% efficiency even at 80 celcius.

Keywords

Sonochemical method, Copper oxide, DSSC, Polymer composite electrolyte, Redox mediator diffusion

Publication Title

Materials Today Communications

Divisions

PHYSICS,umpedac

Volume

38

Publisher

Elsevier

Publisher Location

RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

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