Effect of loaded TiO2 nanofiller on heteropolyacid-impregnated PVDF polymer electrolyte for the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

In order to improve the performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells based on polymer electrolytes, heteropolyacid impregnated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with loaded TiO2 nanofiller were prepared to mainly impede the back electron transfer processes. The prepared polymer electrolytes were well characterized before using them in solar cells. The SEM image confirms that the prepared polymer electrolytes have extended porosity with intersecting cavities of few nanometer in size. The functioning of the solar cells fabricated was monitored and the current-voltage characteristics were measured. The observed long term stability of the fabricated solar cells may be due to the redox couple mobility of the polymer chain increases upon addition of titania nanofiller. (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Veriag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim