Synthesis and ionic conductivity of a polysiloxane containing quaternary ammonium groups

A novel quaternary ammonium salt, polysiloxane containing quaternary ammonium groups, was designed and synthesized. Thermogravimetric results showed that the polymer maintained stable below 250degreesC. Ambient conductivities higher than 10(-4) S cm(-1) could be observed when appropriate amounts of suitable plasticizers were incorporated into the present quaternary ammonium salt. A dye-sensitized solar cell fabricated using a plasticized electrolyte showed a fill factor of 0.50 and an energy conversion efficiency of 7.7%. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.