Formulated quasi-solid state electrolyte based on polypyrrole/polyaniline–polyurethane nanocomposite for dye-sensitized solar cell

A polymer-based quasi-solid state electrolyte using polyurethane (PU) matrix was applied for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). To further improve the performance of the electrolyte, 10 wt% of conductive polymer [polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANi)] nanoparticles were introduced into the matrix. The samples were named PU-10%PPy and PU-10%PANi, and characterized using ATR–FTIR, TEM, DLS, a transmitted light microscope, a reflected light microscope, and TGA. The formulated polymeric nanocomposites were immersed in the liquid electrolyte and the polymer matrix absorbency, conductivity (σ), ion diffusion coefficient (D_ff), and photovoltaic performance in the DSSC were measured. Polymer matrix absorbency and D_ff of PU-10%PPy (1.72 g g⁻¹, 1.52 µcm² s⁻¹) and PU-10%PANi (1.74 g g⁻¹, 1.31 µcm² s⁻¹) were lower than the PU matrix (2.01 g g⁻¹, 1.68 µcm² s⁻¹). However, the conductivity of PU-10%PPy and PU-10%PANi was higher than the PU matrix (2.64, 2.69, and 2.59 mS cm⁻¹, respectively). The efficiency of the DSSC based on PU-10%PANi was the highest, with open circuit voltage of 709 mV, short circuit current of 3.67 mA cm⁻², fill factor of 0.62, and light-to-energy conversion efficiency of 2.68%.