Polymer electrolyte with ionic liquid for DSSC application

We have investigated the structural and ionic conductivity properties of the polymer electrolyte PEO:KI/I2 doped with an ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-methylimidazolium thio-cyanate (EMImSCN). Incorporation of the ionic liquid (IL) reduced the crystallinity, and enhanced the ionic conductivity. Optimized conductivity was found at 80 wt% of ionic liquid composition. This high electrical conductivity was suitable for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)