Cellulose Nanocrystal Aerogels as Electrolyte Scaffolds for Glass and Plastic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

ABSTRACT: The fabrication, thickness, and structure of aerogel films composed of covalently cross-linked cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) were optimized for use as electrolyte absorbers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The aerogel films were cast directly on transparent conducting counter electrode substrates (glass and flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) plastic) and then used to absorb drop-cast liquid electrolyte, thus providing an alternative method of filling electrolyte in DSSCs. This approach eliminates the use of electrolyte-filling holes, which are a typical pathway of electrolyte leakage, and furthermore enables a homogeneous distribution of electrolyte components within the photoelectrode. Unlike typical in situ electrolyte

SUBMITTER: Or T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6752057 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature