Investigation of Iodine Concentration Effects in Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

The present work describes the effects of different iodine concentrations and iodine-to-iodide ratios in electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells based on low-viscous, binary ionic liquid and organic liquid solvents. Current−voltage characteristics, photoelectrochemical measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used for characterization. Optimal short-circuit current and overall conversion efficiency were achieved using intermediate and low iodine concentration in ionic liquid-based and acetonitrile-based electrolytes, respectively. Results from photoelectrochemical and Raman-spectroscopic measurements reveal that both triiodide mobility and chemical availability affect the optimal iodine concentration required in these two types of electrolytes. The higher iodine concentrations required for the ionic liquid-based electrolytes partly compensate for these effects, although negative effects from higher recombination losses and light absorption of iodine-containing species start to become significant.