Dye-sensitized solar cells employing a highly conductive and mechanically robust nanocomposite gel electrolyte

Solvent evaporation rate, ionic conductivity, and photovoltaic response were used to compare a traditional organic liquid electrolyte to a gel electrolyte and a nanocomposite gel electrolyte consisting of poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) and 12.5 wt.% synthetic layered silicate particles. The addition of layered silicate nanoparticles to the pure gel electrolyte markedly increased solvent retention and improved mechanical strength. The nanocomposite gel electrolyte had a conductivity of 2.6 x 10(-3) S/cm and a power conversion efficiency matching that of the liquid electrolyte. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.