Quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with cyanoacrylate as electrolyte matrix

A quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) employing a commercial glue ('' SuperGlue((R))'') as electrolyte matrix was fabricated. The cyano groups of the cyanoacrylate can form a supramolecular complex with tetrapropylammonium cations. This immobilizes the cations and therefore might lead to a favored anionic charge transport necessary for a good performance of the iodide/ triiodide electrolytic conductor. Obtaining energy conversion efficiencies of more than 4% under 100 mW/cm(2) of simulated A.M. 1.5 illumination, the cyanoacrylate quasi-solid-state electrolyte is an ordinary and low-cost compound which has fast drying property and offers significant advantages in the fabrication of solar cells and modules as it is in itself is a very good laminating agent. The influences of different porous layer thicknesses of titanium oxide and various kinds of cations on DSSC performance and long-term stability are presented. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.