Development of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Gold/Gelatin Gel Electrolyte: Effect of Different Aspect Ratio of Gold Nanocrystals

This study describes the application of gold/gelatin (Au/gelatin) gel electrolyte to a set of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A set of DSSC based on Au/gelatin gel electrolyte was developed. Au nanocrystals of different aspect ratio were synthesized and immobilized in gelatin gel electrolyte. The structures of the synthesized nanocrystals and nanocomposite gel were confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, a scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The thermogravimetric analysis indicated that introduction of Au nanocrystals to the polymer matrix resulted in an increase in thermal stability. Fabricated DSSC was exposed to a 100-mW/cm² solar simulator in ambient atmosphere. It was observed that the photoconversion efficiency (PCE) changes with different aspect ratio of Au. In addition, significantly high open-circuit voltage (V_oc), current density (J_sc), and PCE of 0.656 V, 4.94 mA · cm^-2, and 1.975%, respectively, are found for Au nanocrystals with maximum aspect ratio of 3.5 at an optimum concentration of 0.04%.