Integration of polymer electrolytes in dye sensitized solar cells by initiated chemical vapor deposition

The mesoporous titanium dioxide electrode of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has been successfully filled with polymer electrolyte to replace the conventional liquid electrolyte. Polymer electrolyte was directly synthesized and deposited using the initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) process, and an iodide-triiodide redox couple in different redox solvents was then incorporated into the polymer. We have investigated different candidate polymer electrolytes, including poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). The open circuit voltage of cells fabricated with iCVD PHEMA was found to be higher when compared with a liquid electrolyte that is attributed to a lower rate of electron recombination. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.