Enhanced Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Through the Incorporation of Al2O3 Nanofillers in Polymer Electrolytes

Abstract

In recent advancements in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology, the integration of inorganic nanofillers into polymer electrolytes has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the structural stability and electrochemical performance of the devices. This study investigates the impact of various inorganic nanofillers, including TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3, on the properties of polymer composite electrolytes employed in solid-state DSSCs sensitized with N719 dye. Among the considered nanofillers, the incorporation of Al2O3 into the polymer composite electrolyte demonstrated superior results, exhibiting heightened ionic conductivity and photo-current density attributed to increased amorphicity and reduced crystallinity. The Al2O3-enhanced DSSCs achieved notable photovoltaic parameters, including a conversion efficiency (η) of 5.61%, a high short circuit current (JSC) of approximately 13.17 mA/cm2, and an open circuit voltage (VOC) of approximately 0.707 V. Comparative analysis with other polymer composite electrolytes revealed that the Al2O3-based system surpassed in terms of photovoltaic performance. This study underscores the pivotal role of diverse nanofillers in polymer composite electrolytes for augmenting photocurrent density, conversion efficiency, and overall device stability.