Increased power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells with counter electrodes based on porous polypyrrole

作者：Khan, Shahzad Ahmad^*; Li, Ligui^*; Zhao, Dengke; Chen, Shaowei

来源：REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS, 2020, 148: 104483.

DOI：10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2020.104483

• Solar energy materials
• Porous materials
• Polymer film
• Simple hydrothermal method

The porous polypyrrole (PPPy) was synthesized with zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) used as template by simple hydrothermal. The resultant PPPy was employed as counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The 5% Cu(ClO4)(2) and 2% ZIF-8 ratio in PPPy at 100 degrees C by simple hydrothermal method demonstrates comparable performance with traditional Pt in DSSC as CE, 8.63% and 9.05% energy conversion efficiency (I), respectively. The electrochemical and photo-electrochemical as well as impedance spectra measurements revealed that ZIF-8 as template by simple hydrothermal method is a effective way for preparing PPPy at 100 degrees C as CE in DSSC, which may open up an alternative choice for the future industrial application. In DSSC, PPPy at 100 degrees C is one of the most promising material used for nano-porous thin film when, it serves as CE due to its appropriate low cost, and easy preparation method. The template polymerization of PPPy on zeolytes is interesting method for DSSC and as electro-catalyst, it can be big perspective in polymer membrane fuel cells, Zn air battery, Li ion battery and also useful for hydrogen production from water. So, this article will broaden the application of conductive polymers in DSSCs as well as above described fields.