6.16% Efficiency of Solid-State Fiber Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on LiTFSI Electrolytes with Novel TEMPOL Derivatives

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted intense scientific interest due to their low cost, environmentally friendly operation, and relatively high efficiency. In particular, solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells (SS-FDSSCs) have attracted significant attention for their potential applications in portable, flexible, and wearable electronics. However, the use of general DSSCs in these applications is limited by their highly leak-susceptible volatile liquid electrolytes. Therefore, the development of a highly efficient and stable solid-state electrolyte in SS-FDSSCs is a research challenge. Hence, the present letter describes the development of a highly conductive and stable structure on a hybrid-based LiTFSI electrolyte with 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPOL) that has high catalytic oxidant characteristics. After device optimization, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) with the TEMPOL p-toluenesulfonate (TpTS)-based SS-FDSSCs was 6.16%, which is comparable to that of the reference device (i.e., 4.21%). Moreover, the SS-FDSSCs devices with TpTS retained greater than 92% of their efficiency over 500 bending cycles and 10 washing cycles.