Effect of 2,2’-Bipyridine-4,4’-dicarboxylic acid doped with PVDF/KI/I 2 Based Polymer Electrolyte for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

Solar energy transformation is the sustainable and dependable solution for the future due
to rising energy demands and the depletion of fossil fuels. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are
one of the most popular solar energy conversion methods because of their ease of construction,
affordability, dependability, and high efficiency. The electrolyte is an essential component of
DSSCs, which transfers electrons from the counterpart electrode to the working electrode. 2,2’-
Bipyridine-4,4’-dicarboxylic acid (2,2’-Bp-4,4’-dca) doped PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Fluoride)/KI
(Potassium Iodide)/I 2 (Iodine) polymer electrolyte was investigated in order to create an effective
DSSC. Using N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent, solution casting method have been
used to make 2,2’-Bp-4,4’-dca-doped PVDF/KI/I 2 electrolyte films with various weight
percentages (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%). The synthesized polymer electrolyte films
have been characterized using a variety of analysing techniques including scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), powdered X-ray diffractometer (PXRD) and AC-impedance analysis. PXRD
studies verified that the strength of the peak has gradually lowered up to 30% then the peak
intensity gradually rises after 30%. SEM analysis revealed that the size of spherical particles

gradually decreases up to 30% of 2,2’-Bp-4,4’-dca doped PVDF/KI/I 2 polymer electrolyte. Ionic
conductivity of the polymer electrolytes has been calculated using AC-impedance analysis.
When the ionic conductivity of 2,2’-Bp-4,4’-dca undoped PVDF /KI /I 2 polymer electrolyte
8.13x10 -8 S cm -1 , this has been increased into 4.94x10 -4 S cm -1 for 30% 2,2’-Bp-4,4’-dca doped
PVDF/KI/I 2 electrolyte have been proved to have the highest electrolytic conductivity when
compared to other weight percentage ratios. The photovoltaic measurements have been measured
using fabricated DSSC. The maximum efficiency (η) 3.68% have been measured for 30% 2,2’-
Bp-4,4’-dca-doped PVDF/KI/I 2 . Therefore the 30% 2,2’-Bp-4,4’-dca doped PVDF/KI/I 2
electrolyte have been suitable for DSSC applications.