Dye-sensitized solar cells employing non-volatile electrolytes based on oligomer solvent

The performance optimization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing non-volatile liquid electrolytes has been reported. Low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (oligo-PEGDME) was utilized as non-volatile solvent for the electrolytes. The ion transport properties of electrolytes and the influences of cations on the electron transport through photoanode have been systematically investigated. The results show that the overall efficiency of DSCs is mainly dominated by both the anion conductivity in electrolyte and the electron diffusion length in photoanode. From the analyses, the optimal composition of the non-volatile solvent-based electrolyte was successfully determined for high photon-to-electricity conversion efficiency.