Polypyrrole- and polyaniline-surface modified nanosilica as quasi-solid state electrolyte ingredients for dye-sensitized solar cells

Polyurethane nanocomposites were formulated to entrap liquid electrolyte for quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSEs) in dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Polypyrrole- and polyaniline-surface engineered silica nanoparticles (NPs) were each incorporated to form polyurethane nanocomposites. The formation of nanosilica and its surface modification, as well as the size, aggregation, and isoelectric point of the synthesized NPs were analyzed using ATR-FTIR, TEM, and DLS. In addition, the filler (silica)–matrix (polyurethane) interaction, NP distribution, surface morphology, surface porosity, and the thermal stability of the polyurethane nanocomposite were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, transmitted and reflected light microscopes, ImageJ, and TGA. The polymer matrix absorptivity, conductivity, and ion diffusion of the polyurethane nanocomposite-based QSE was investigated by using a digital analytical balance, the AC impedance method, and the cyclic voltammetry. Lastly, all of the formulated QSEs were applied in DSSCs and their photovoltaic performance was measured. The QSE based on polyaniline surface engineered nanosilica demonstrated the highest light-to-energy conversion efficiency, namely 3.10%, with an open circuit voltage of 715 mV, a short circuit current of 3.88 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 0.67. A reasonable lifespan stability was also found for 100 min illumination and a corresponding efficiency of 2.47% obtained

Dye sensitized solar cell based on polyethylene glycol/4, 4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate copolymer quasi solid state electrolyte

In this study, quasi-solid state electrolyte (QSE) was prepared by blending the polyethylene glycol (PEG) with molecular weight of 400, 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), potassium iodide (KI) and iodine (I2) under a low reaction temperature (50oC) for two hours. QSEs with a different ratio of PEG to MDI were formulated. Adding 15 vol% of MDl into the QSE was found to give the highest open circuit voltage, short circuit current and energy conversion efficient, which were 360 mV, 0.077 mA/cm2 and 0.02% respectively

Effect of PEG Molecular Weight on the Polyurethane-Based Quasi-Solid-State Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Nanosilica was surface modified with polyaniline and incorporated into polyurethane to form a polymer matrix capable of entrapping a liquid electrolyte and functioning as quasi-solid-state electrolyte in the dye-sensitized solar cells. The effect on the S−PANi distribution, surface morphology, thermal stability, gel content, and structural change after varying the PEG molecular weight of the polyurethane matrix was analyzed. Quasi-solid-state electrolytes were prepared by immersing the polyurethane matrix into a liquid electrolyte and the polymer matrix absorbency, conductivity, and ion diffusion were investigated. The formulated quasi-solid-state electrolytes were applied in dye-sensitized solar cells and their charge recombination, photovoltaic performance, and lifespan were measured. The quasi-solid-state electrolyte with a PEG molecular weight of 2000 gmol−1 (PU−PEG 2000) demonstrated the highest light-to-energy conversion efficiency, namely, 3.41%, with an open-circuit voltage of 720 mV, a short-circuit current of 4.52 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 0.63

A brief review on photoanode, electrolyte, and photocathode materials for dye-sensitized solar cell based on natural dye photosensitizers

The dye-sensitized solar cell is a promising alternative for a new generation of photovoltaic devices due to its lightweight, flexibility, low cost, environmentally friendly materials. One important aspect of the DSSC is the potential of using dyes found in flowers, leaves, and fruits to be used as they are cheap and easily attained. However, the photovoltaic performances of dye-sensitized solar cells are greatly dependent on the CR which can be attributed to dye molecular size, semiconductor nanostructures properties, interaction between the semiconductor and dye, semiconductor/dye/electrolyte resistance, and dye aggregation (Narayan 2012). This paper briefly reviews recent developments in DSSC using natural dye photosensitizers, photoanode materials, various phases of the electrolytes, and nonmetal photocathode materials

Manufacturing in Egypt and Israel.

Manufacturing industry is one of the major economic foundations in Egypt and Israel. The two countries' manufacturing industry has developed different capabilities, largely based on the unique resources available. Israel has leveraged on its high-quality R&D that are being carried out in many of its world-class tertiary institutes and transformed its infrastructure and labour force to meet the higher technological demands. Egypt has made use of its abundant labour force to encourage investments in manufacturing sectors that are labour-intensive. As world trade liberalisation and foreign investment become more common, investors will find potentially lucrative investment opportunities in the two countries' manufacturing sectors.Master of Business Administratio

Effect of PEG Molecular Weight on the Polyurethane-Based Quasi-Solid-State Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Nanosilica was surface modified with polyaniline and incorporated into polyurethane to form a polymer matrix capable of entrapping a liquid electrolyte and functioning as quasi-solid-state electrolyte in the dye-sensitized solar cells. The effect on the S−PANi distribution, surface morphology, thermal stability, gel content, and structural change after varying the PEG molecular weight of the polyurethane matrix was analyzed. Quasi-solid-state electrolytes were prepared by immersing the polyurethane matrix into a liquid electrolyte and the polymer matrix absorbency, conductivity, and ion diffusion were investigated. The formulated quasi-solid-state electrolytes were applied in dye-sensitized solar cells and their charge recombination, photovoltaic performance, and lifespan were measured. The quasi-solid-state electrolyte with a PEG molecular weight of 2000 gmol−1 (PU−PEG 2000) demonstrated the highest light-to-energy conversion efficiency, namely, 3.41%, with an open-circuit voltage of 720 mV, a short-circuit current of 4.52 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 0.63

Development of Lignin Supramolecular Hydrogels with Mechanically Responsive and Self-Healing Properties

The development of functional polymers from renewable lignin is attractive due to the depletion of fossil fuel and increasing environmental usage. A series of poly­(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA)-grafted lignin hyperbranched copolymers were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The chemical structures, molecular characteristic and thermal properties of these copolymers were evaluated and such copolymers were prepared in a range of molecular weights from 38.7 to 65.0 kDa by adjusting the PEGMA-to-lignin weight ratio. As a result from their hyperbranch architecture, their aqueous solutions were found to form supramolecular hydrogels with a very low critical gelation concentration of 1 wt % copolymers, in the presence of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD). The rheological properties of the supramolecular assemblies were investigated and these hydrogel systems showed tunable mechanical response and excellent self-healing capability. Combined with good biocompatibility, these new types of green supramolecular hydrogels based on lignin–PEGMA/cyclodextrin inclusion are potentially useful as a smart biomaterial for biomedical application

Long-Term Real-Time In Vivo Drug Release Monitoring with AIE Thermogelling Polymer

A new drug concentration meter is developed. In vivo drug release can be monitored precisely via a self-indicating drug delivery system consisting of a new aggregation-induced emission thermoresponsive hydrogel. By taking the advantage of a self-indicating system, one can easily detect the depletion of drugs, and reinject to maintain a dosage in the optimal therapeutic window.ASTAR (Agency for Sci., Tech. and Research, S’pore)MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore)Accepted versio