Polymer-doped molten salt mixtures as a new concept for electrolyte systems in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

A conceptually new polymer electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells is reported and investigated. The benefits of using this type of electrolyte based on ionic liquid mixtures (ILMs) and room temperature ionic liquids are highlighted. Impedance spectroscopy and transient electron measurements have been used to elucidate the background of the photovoltaic performance. Even though larger recombination losses were noted, the high ion mobility and conductivity induced in the ILMs by the added polymer result in enhanced overall conversion efficiencies.