Solid state dye sensitized solar cells: Eosin-Y sensitized TiO2–ZnO/PEO–PVDF-HFP-MMT electrolytes/MWCNT–Nafion® counter electrode

Abstract The present work aims to reduce the cost of solid state dye sensitized solar cells employing inexpensive materials for various components of the device. First, TiO 2 and flower shaped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel processes and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis spectra confirm that the photon absorption is increased in the visible region with the addition of ZnO. Second, poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(vinylidenefluoride- co -hexafluoropropylene) with silane modified montmorillonite membrane was prepared (PEO/PVDF-HFP-MMT) for electrolyte applications. The membranes were subjected to XRD studies in order to understand the intercalation/exfoliation and crystallinity. The porosity measurements and SEM revealed that addition of surface modified MMT increased the porosity of PEO/PVDF-HFP. The ionic conductivity increased with the incorporation of MMT and reaches to maximum value about 1.6 mS/cm for 6 wt%. Finally, MWCNT/Nafion ® composite prepared counter electrode applications and its catalytic activity has studied. The solid state dye sensitized solar cell has been fabricated by using optimized composition of TiO 2 /ZnO, PEO/PVDF-HFP/MMT, MWCNT/Nafion ® and eosin-Y as a sensitizer. The photovoltaic performance exhibits an enhanced open circuit voltage ( V oc ) and short circuit current density ( J sc ) were 0.65 V and 3.3 mA/cm 2 respectively at an incident light intensity of 100 mW/cm 2 . The EIS spectra of the DSSCs were shown reduced charge transfer resistance for TiO 2 /ZnO nanocomposite electrode. The stability of device is studied using amperometric technique under several on–off cycles.