MXene-modified polymer interfaces for stable quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel quasi-solid (QS) gel polymer electrolyte based on a copper (Cu) complex, enhanced by the effect of MXene insertion, was developed for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Utilizing a polymer blend of PEO and PVDF-HFP in the fabrication of the gelated electrolyte improved charge regeneration. The incorporation of MXene as a nanofiller suppressed trap-assisted recombination, enhancing ion diffusion and device stability. The optimized electrolyte (CLEMPP), containing 10 wt% mixed-polymers and 0.5 wt% MXene, achieved a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.21% and 10.46% under 100 mW cm -2 and 10 mW cm -2 illumination, respectively, with a carbon counter electrode. Intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopies (IMPS) revealed an 11.57% improvement in charge transport, while electrochemical analyses showed a reduction in charge transport resistance (R ct ) from 27.6 Ω to 18 Ω compared to MXene-PEO-based DSSCs (CLEMP). The CLEMPP maintained superior performance in both indoor and outdoor conditions for over 150 hours. CLEMPP possesses kinetical, mechanical, and electrochemical stabilities highlighted by XPS elemental analyses, cyclic voltammetry, and viscosity measurements. These results highlight the potential of MXene and PVDF-HFP in optimizing charge transport and stability. The CLEMPP-based DSSC, combined with carbon electrodes, presents a promising candidate for Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications and commercialization.