Effects of NiO/TiO2 Mixed Nanoparticles on Quasi-Solid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
In this work, a magnetic polymer electrolyte composed by agarose as polymer matrix, NMP as solvent and NiO/TiO2mixed nanoparticles as modifier was investigated and employed in the solid-sate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The influence of NiO/TiO2mixed nanoparticles on the morphology and ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte was studied by SEM and electrochemical impedance spectra. From SEM analysis, the mixing of NiO with TiO2nanoparticle in polymer electrolyte leads to smooth surface of the polymer electrolyte films. The polymer electrolyte modified by mixed nanoparticles with NiO: TiO2ratio of 1:4 shows the maximum ionic conductivity of 6.64×10-3S·cm-1. From photovoltaic performance study, the increase of NiO: TiO2ratio in polymer electrolyte leads to an improvement in light-to-electric conversion efficiency. The optimal photoelectric efficiency is achieved at NiO: TiO2ratio of 1: 4. Besides, after treatment under an external magnetic field, the DSSC modified with NiO: TiO2ratio of 1: 4 exhibits a better photovoltaic performance than that of DSSC without magnetic field treatment.