Quasi-solid polyaniline/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blend electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Conductive polymer blend gel electrolytes can address the instability caused by liquid electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), thereby improving their long-term stability, by reducing leakage, and enhancing electrode adhesion. This work employed in-situ polymerization to synthesize blends of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyaniline (PANI), which were subsequently characterized using ionic conductivity measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Consequently, the optimal composition has been chosen to prepare the electrolyte solution using polymer blend, solvents, and iodine-based salts. The conductivity of blend electrolytes has also been found to be affected by the salt concentration. The fabrication of DSSCs has made use of electrolytes with the highest conductivity values. It has been found that dye-sensitized solar cells with polymer gel electrolytes are more robust but less efficient than their conventional counterparts. Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells were found to maintain their photovoltaic performance for a duration of one week, whereas conventional cells experienced a substantial decline in short-circuit current (∼36%) and open-circuit voltage (∼33.33%) over the same period. •Polymer Blend gel Electrolytes (PBGEs) were developed to enhance the stability of DSSC.•The blends of PVDF and PANI were synthesized by in-situ polymerization process.•PBEGs were prepared by using PVDF/PANI blend and inorganic salts.•Concentration of salt affects the photovoltaic performance of QS-DSSCs.•QS-DSSCs were less efficient than liquid electrolyte DSSCs but more stable.