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Influence of the electropolymerization time on polypyrrole-based counter electrode properties in dye-sensitized solar cell

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Abstract

In the present work, uniform Polypyrrole (PPy) films were deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide substrates by chronoamperometry technique with various electropolymerization times. They were then investigated as counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements confirmed PPy polymerization efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the formation of unbounded PPy chains over the cauliflower structure at higher deposition times. The electrocatalytic activity of PPy films were found to decrease with increasing in deposition time. Similarly, the performance of PPy CE based-DSSCs is dependent upon polymer deposition time. DSSCs fabricated using PPy CE with 1s polymerization time exhibited higher photocurrent and thus superior power conversion efficiency. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy suggests that the lower performance of DSSC with longer PPy deposition time is due to higher ion diffusion resistance in the porous structure of the formed unbounded PPy chains which retards the reduction of the triiodide ions \({ (I}_{3}^{-}\) ) at CE.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the National Research Fund (DGRSDT) and the Centre de Recherche en Technologie des Semi-conducteurs pour l’Energétique (CRTSE).

Funding

All of the sources of funding for the work described in this publication are financed by the General Directorate for Scientific Research (DGRSDT) and the Semiconductor Research Center for Energy (CRTSE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division Couches Minces Surfaces & Interfaces CMSI, Centre de Recherche en Technologie des Semi-Conducteurs Pour l’Energétique CRTSE, Algiers, Algeria

    F. Z. Tighilt, S. Belhousse, K. Hamdani, H. Lallali, K. Lasmi, A. Manseri & S. Sam

  2. Ecole Nationale Polytechnique (ENP), 10, Avenue Hassen Badi, El Harrach, B.P. 182, 16200, Algiers, Algeria

    Y. Abdallaoui, M. Melaine & N. Belhaneche

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  1. F. Z. Tighilt
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Contributions

FZT: Initiation of the work, polypyrrole grafting on the ITO and interpretation of the results. SB: Interpretation of FT-IR results. KH: Elaboration of photoanode. YA: Electrodeposition of Polypyrrole. MM: Study of electrocatalytic activity. HL: assembly of a dye cell. KL: Characterization of different structures by contact angle measurements.  AM: Interpretation of MEB results. NB: Contribution to the correction of the article. SS: Simulation and impedance study. 

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Correspondence to F. Z. Tighilt.

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Tighilt, F.Z., Belhousse, S., Hamdani, K. et al. Influence of the electropolymerization time on polypyrrole-based counter electrode properties in dye-sensitized solar cell. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 34, 1563 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10902-z

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