Non-Newtonian Electrolytes: A Sustainable Pathway to Improve Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Technology by Enhancing Ionic Conductivity in the Electrolyte
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This study explores the role of non-Newtonian gel-polymer electrolytes, infused with TiO 2 nanofillers, in improving the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The key focus was understanding how these nanofillers alter the electrolyte's ionic conductivity and influence the DSSC efficiency, and to study the transient nature of the conductivity in non-Newtonian electrolytes. By introducing TiO 2 nanofillers, the polymer chains undergo structural rearrangements, transitioning into a more amorphous state. This shift enhances ionic mobility within the electrolyte, a characteristic behavior of non-Newtonian fluids where viscosity and flow properties change under stress or temperature. This behavior is confirmed by analyzing the transient nature of the electrolyte’s conductivity. The FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed chemical stability and light-harvesting capability, respectively, without introducing unwanted reactions. The research found a distinct optimum in performance at 15.0 wt.% TiO 2 content beyond which the performance decreased due to nanoparticle aggregation and polymer chain immobilization. Key electrochemical analyses, including Nyquist plots and temperature-dependent conductivity measurements, reveal that ionic conductivity exhibits non-Arrhenius behavior, indicating complex, thermally activated transport within the gel matrix. The conductivity peaked at 9.73 mS cm − 1 at 80°C for the 15% TiO 2 sample, confirming the non-Newtonian dynamic nature of the electrolyte. AC conductivity, dielectric constant variations, and polarization microscopy provided further evidence of improved amorphous character and charge transport. In terms of DSSC performance, the electrolyte sample containing 15.0 wt.% TiO 2 yielded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.18%, a 26.0% increase over the TiO 2 -free baseline. This improvement is linked to increased iodide ion mobility, reduced charge recombination, longer electron diffusion lengths, and enhanced photoelectron lifetimes, as shown through EIS analysis. Conclusively, TiO 2 nanofiller–infused non-Newtonian gel-polymer electrolytes significantly enhance DSSC stability, conductivity, and efficiency. This work presents a viable pathway toward developing high-performance, stable, and sustainable solar cells using solid-state electrolyte technologies.
