Article
Polymer Science
Kai Sing Liow, Coswald Stephen Sipaut, Rachel Fran Mansa, Mee Ching Ung, Shamsi Ebrahimi
Summary: The study focused on the performance of a polymer matrix consisting of polyaniline-modified nanosilica incorporated into polyurethane as a quasi-solid-state electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells. The effects of varying the PEG molecular weight on the distribution, morphology, stability, gel content, and structural change of the S-PANi were analyzed. The quasi-solid-state electrolyte with a PEG molecular weight of 2000 gmol(-1) demonstrated the highest light-to-energy conversion efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinyue Wen, Zhicheng Sun, Yun Qiao, Yang Zhou, Yibin Liu, Qingqing Zhang, Yuanyuan Liu, Shouzheng Jiao
Summary: This study focuses on utilizing quasi-solid-state polymer-based electrolytes to improve the leakage and volatilization problems of liquid electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells. By incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and intercalated MXene/rGO into a copolymer electrolyte, quasi-solid-state DSSCs with enhanced photoelectric performance were successfully prepared.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Garima Dwivedi, Guncha Munjal, Ashok N. Bhaskarwar, Amita Chaudhary
Summary: This paper reviews the feasibility of using polyaniline and its composites as a counter-electrode catalyst in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as well as its applications as a hole conductor and catalyst for photosensitized electrolytes. It also discusses the efficiency of polyaniline-based solar cells and the recent advances in using it as a suitable replacement for platinum.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Burak Unlu, Serbulent Turk, Mahmut Ozacar
Summary: Gellan gum/poly(3-hexylthiophene)/lithium chloride gels with different ratios of LiCl were synthesized and used as gel electrolytes in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The presence of 6 M LiCl prevented shrinkage of gels and increased surface energy values, resulting in good adhesive property. The flexible nature of LiCl-contained gels at low temperatures makes them suitable for various conditions and cell architecture. By using these gel electrolytes, higher open circuit potentials and improved solar conversion efficiency were achieved, making them a promising alternative to address the leakage and evaporation issues of liquid electrolytes in DSSCs.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vidhya Selvanathan, Mohd Hafidz Ruslan, Ammar Ahmed Nasser Alkahtani, Nowshad Amin, Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Ghulam Muhammad, Md Akhtaruzzaman
Summary: The fabrication of quasi-solid polymer electrolytes based on esterified starch has shown promising results for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells. The chemical modification of potato starch via phthaloylation method, and the incorporation of propylene carbonate, dimethylformamide, and lithium iodide resulted in high ionic conductivity and efficiency in the biopolymer gel electrolyte. This research suggests a sustainable and cost-effective approach for developing quasi-solid-state DSSC with starch-based electrolytes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Mucella Ozbay Karakus, Merve Eren Yakisiklier, Ali Delibas, Hidayet Cetin
Summary: This study investigates the effect of the network structure of hydrogels on the performance of quasi-solid gel electrolytes in DSSCs. Increasing cross-linking during synthesis improves conductivity but does not necessarily increase energy conversion efficiency in DSSCs. Cross-linking also affects the swelling, wetting, and morphological properties of the hydrogels.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. M. Manikandan, Arunagiri Yelilarasi, S. S. Saravanakumar, Raed H. Althomali, Anish Khan, Khamael M. Abualnaja, Dalal Alhashmialameer, M. A. Hussein
Summary: A quasi-solid-state polymer electrolyte was successfully prepared containing poly(vinyl alcohol)-polypyrrole as a polymer host, potassium iodide, iodine, and different plasticizers. The polymer electrolyte with ethylene carbonate showed high electrical conductivity and low activation energy, with faster charge transfer and higher photo-conversion efficiency.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Laura Manceriu, Anil Kumar Bharwal, Nathan Daem, Jennifer Dewalque, Pierre Colson, Frederic Boschini, Rudi Cloots
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising solution for portable electronics and IoT applications due to their low-cost fabrication and high efficiency. However, the main obstacle to their large-scale exploitation is their limited long-term stability caused by liquid electrolytes. This review summarizes advances in alternative polymer electrolytes, with a focus on polysiloxane-based poly(ionic liquid)s, and evaluates their behavior in DSSCs. The assessment of printability for liquid and gel polymer electrolytes, particularly polysiloxane-based electrolytes, is also discussed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sadia Yasmeen, Yasir Qayyum Gill, Rabia Nazar, Umer Mehmood, Faisal Iqbal, Hooriya Qaswar, Zeeshan Ahmed
Summary: Conductive polymer blend gel electrolytes improve the stability of dyesensitized solar cells by reducing leakage and enhancing electrode adhesion. In this study, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyaniline (PANI) blends were synthesized through in-situ polymerization and characterized using various methods. The optimal composition of the electrolyte solution was selected, and the conductivity was found to be influenced by salt concentration. Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with gel electrolytes exhibited better long-term stability compared to conventional cells.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Z. Najihah, I. M. Noor, Tan Winie
Summary: This study investigates the use of acetone as the optimal solvent for extracting chlorophyll from Costus woodsonii leaves, and explores the performance of chlorophyll as a dye sensitizer for DSSC. By studying the adherence of chlorophyll pigment to the TiO2 surface and the movement of electrons at the interface, the highest efficiency of chlorophyll DSSC is achieved.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jianfei Lin, Yinglin Wang, Yanan Li, Yuming Shi, Xin Guo, Lingling Wang, Yichun Liu, Xintong Zhang
Summary: By using a chemical cross-linking strategy, high-performance quasi-solid-state DSSCs based on copper have been successfully fabricated. This strategy effectively reduces the crystallinity of polymers inside the gel polymer electrolytes, improving the diffusion coefficient and enhancing the photovoltaic efficiency and open-circuit voltage of the cells.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Koffi A. Kamenan, Anooja Jagadeesh, N'guessan Raymond Kre, Edja Florentin Assanvo, Suraj Soman, K. N. Narayanan Unni
Summary: A dye sensitized solar cell with a quasi-solid state electrolyte based on natural rubber and iodide electrolyte was successfully fabricated, showing improved power conversion efficiency and hindering back electron transfer. This work opens up possibilities for using natural raw materials in nature-inspired DSSC technology.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shanmuganathan Venkatesan, Chia-Yi Chiang, Hsisheng Teng, Yuh-Lang Lee
Summary: A complete printing process was developed for the fabrication of monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (m-QS-DSSCs). The structures were constructed by printing TiO2 layers, a ZrO2 insulating layer, and a carbon counter electrode (CE) onto an FTO substrate, followed by printing a quasi-solid-state printable electrolyte (QS-PE) on top of the porous carbon CE. The optimized porous structures and characteristics of the ZrO2 and carbon layers enabled the m-QS-DSSCs to achieve an efficiency of 6.79% under 1 sun illumination.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dheeraj Devadiga, Muthu Selvakumar, Deepak Devadiga, Tantri Nagaraja Ahipa, Prakasha Shetty, Selvaraj Paramasivam, Shanmugam Senthil Kumar
Summary: In this study, the photovoltaic capabilities of a metal-free organic dye (CDIB) as a sensitizer and co-sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated. The efficiency of the DSSC with CDIB sensitizer and IL-15% electrolyte reached 1.86%. Furthermore, the power conversion efficiency of DSSC with co-sensitized dye was increased by 23.29%, mainly due to an increase in short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Shanmuganathan Venkatesan, Yun-Yu Chen, Chung-Yu Chien, Ming-Hsiang Tsai, Hsisheng Teng, Yuh-Lang Lee
Summary: The study investigated the impact of Al2O3 and ZnO nanofillers in composite printable electrolytes (CPEs) on the performance of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. While Al2O3-CPE showed higher ion diffusion coefficients, ZnO NFs significantly reduced charge recombination rates, enhancing cell performance.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianyu Chen, Zhibin Lu, Guangjin Zeng, Yongmin Xie, Jie Xiao, Zhifeng Xu
Summary: The study introduces a high-performance LSGM electrolyte-supported tubular DC-SOFC stack for portable applications, which shows great potential in developing into high-performing, efficient, and environmentally friendly portable power sources for distributed applications.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenbin Tong, Yili Chen, Shijie Gong, Shaokun Zhu, Jie Tian, Jiaqian Qin, Wenyong Chen, Shuanghong Chen
Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional porous NiO interface layer with enhanced anode dynamics is fabricated, forming a Schottky contact with the zinc substrate, allowing rapid and uniform zinc plating both inside and below the interface layer. The resulting NiO@Zn exhibits exceptional stability and high capacity retention.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yafeng Bai, Kaidi Li, Liying Wang, Yang Gao, Xuesong Li, Xijia Yang, Wei Lu
Summary: In this study, a flexible zinc ion supercapacitor with gel electrolytes, porous alpha-MnO2@reduced graphene oxide cathode, and activated carbon/carbon cloth anode was developed. The device exhibits excellent electrochemical performance and stability, even at low temperatures, with a high cycle retention rate after 5000 cycles.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anmol Jnawali, Matt D. R. Kok, Francesco Iacoviello, Daniel J. L. Brett, Paul R. Shearing
Summary: This article presents the results of a systematic study on the electrochemical performance and mechanical changes in two types of commercial batteries with different anode chemistry. The study reveals that the swelling of anode layers in batteries with silicon-based components causes deformations in the jelly roll structure, but the presence of a small percentage of silicon does not significantly impact the cycling performance of the cells within the relevant state-of-health range for electric vehicles (EVs). The research suggests that there is room for improving the cell capacities by increasing the silicon loading in composite anodes to meet the increasing demands on EVs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yohandys A. Zulueta, My Phuong Pham-Ho, Minh Tho Nguyen
Summary: Advanced atomistic simulations were used to study ion transport in the Na- and K-doped lithium disilicate Li2Si2O5. The results showed that Na and K doping significantly enhanced Li ion diffusion and conduction in the material.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zongying Han, Hui Dong, Yanru Yang, Hao Yu, Zhibin Yang
Summary: An efficient phase inversion-impregnation approach is developed to fabricate BaO-decorated Ni8 mol% YSZ anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with anti-coking properties. BaO nanoislands are successfully introduced inside the Ni-YSZ anode, leading to higher peak power densities and improved stability in methane fuel. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the loading of BaO nanoislands facilitates carbon elimination by capturing and dissociating H2O molecules to generate OH.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Suresh Mamidi, Dan Na, Baeksang Yoon, Henu Sharma, Anil D. Pathak, Kisor Kumar Sahu, Dae Young Lee, Cheul-Ro Lee, Inseok Seo
Summary: Li-CO2 batteries, which utilize CO2 and have a high energy density, are hindered in practical applications due to slow kinetics and safety hazards. This study introduces a stable and highly conductive ceramic-based solid electrolyte and a metal-organic framework catalyst to improve the safety and performance of Li-CO2 batteries. The optimized Li-CO2 cell shows outstanding specific capacity and cycle life, and the post-cycling analysis reveals the degradation mechanism of the electrodes. First-principles calculations based on density functional theory are also performed to understand the interactions between the catalyst and the host electrode. This research demonstrates the potential of MOF cathode catalyst for stable operation in Li-CO2 batteries.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ganghua Xiang, Zhihuan Qiu, Huilong Fei, Zhigang Liu, Shuangfeng Yin, Yuen Wu
Summary: In this study, a CeFeOx-supported Pt single atoms and subnanometric clusters catalyst was developed, which exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and stability for the preferential oxidation of CO in H2-rich stream through synergistic effect.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dimitrios Chatzogiannakis, Marcus Fehse, Maria Angeles Cabanero, Natalia Romano, Ashley Black, Damien Saurel, M. Rosa Palacin, Montse Casas-Cabanas
Summary: By coupling electrochemical testing to operando synchrotron based X-ray absorption and powder diffraction experiments, blended positive electrodes consisting of LiMn2O4 spinel (LMO) and layered LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 (NMC) were studied to understand their redox mechanism. It was found that blending NMC with LMO can enhance energy density at high rates, with the blend containing 25% LMO showing the best performance. Testing with a special electrochemical setup revealed that the effective current load on each blend component can vary significantly from the nominal rate and also changes with SoC. Operando studies allowed monitoring of the oxidation state evolution and changes in crystal structure, in line with the expected behavior of individual components considering their electrochemical current loads.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chiara Cementon, Daniel Dewar, Thrinathreddy Ramireddy, Michael Brennan, Alexey M. Glushenkov
Summary: This Perspective discusses the specific power and power density of lithium-ion capacitors, highlighting the fact that their power characteristics are often underestimated. Through analysis, it is found that lithium-ion capacitors can usually achieve power densities superior to electrochemical supercapacitors, making them excellent alternatives to supercapacitors.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weihao Wang, Hao Yu, Li Ma, Youquan Zhang, Yuejiao Chen, Libao Chen, Guichao Kuang, Liangjun Zhou, Weifeng Wei
Summary: This study achieved an improved electrolyte with excellent low-temperature and high-voltage performance by regulating the Li+ solvation structure and highly concentrating it. The electrolyte exhibited outstanding oxidation potential and high ionic conductivity under low temperature and high voltage conditions, providing a promising approach for the practical application of high-voltage LIBs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Martin Bures, Dan Gotz, Jiri Charvat, Milos Svoboda, Jaromir Pocedic, Juraj Kosek, Alexandr Zubov, Petr Mazur
Summary: Vanadium redox flow battery is a promising energy storage solution with long-term durability, non-flammability, and high overall efficiency. Researchers have developed a mathematical model to simulate the charge-discharge cycling of the battery, and found that hydraulic connection of electrolyte tanks is the most effective strategy to reduce capacity losses, achieving a 69% reduction.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Rodriguez-Gomez, J. Campo, A. Orera, F. de La Fuente, J. Valenciano, H. Fricke, D. S. Hussey, Y. Chen, D. Yu, K. An, A. Larrea
Summary: In this study, we analysed the operando performance of industrial lead cells using neutron diffraction experiments. The experiments revealed the evolution of different phases in the positive electrode, showed significant inhomogeneity of phase distribution inside the electrode, and estimated the energy efficiency of the cells.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiawei Liu, Chenpeng Wang, Yue Yao, Hao Ye, Yinglong Liu, Yingli Liu, Xiaoru Xu, Zhicong Chen, Huazheng Yang, Gang Wu, Libin Lei, Chao Wang, Bo Liang
Summary: The study focuses on utilizing double conductive Ni-pads as anode collectors in micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells. The simulation results show excellent performance and stability of DCNPs, and also highlight the potential applications in various fields.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yang Wang, Kangjie Zhou, Lang Cui, Jiabing Mei, Shengnan Li, Le Li, Wei Fan, Longsheng Zhang, Tianxi Liu
Summary: This study presents a polyimide sandwiched separator (s-PIF) for improving the cycling stability of Li-metal batteries. The s-PIF separator exhibits superior mechanical property, electrolyte adsorption/retention and ion conductivity, and enables dendrite-free Li plating/stripping process.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2024)