Preparation and properties of Zn5(OH)8Cl2 as an inorganic filler in poly(vinylidene fluoride) based electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

The integration of inorganic fillers into polymer materials has garnered considerable attention for the development of advanced electrolyte materials, particularly in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Among various potential fillers, zinc hydroxide chloride (Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂) emerged as a promising inorganic filler owing to its unique structural and electrochemical properties. This study focuses on developing a preparation method for Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂ as an inorganic filler, investigating its effects on the properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based electrolytes, and evaluating the performance of the resulting electrolyte in DSSCs. When Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂ was used as a filler, significant enhancements were observed in ionic conductivity and the overall cell performance. By harnessing the interactions between Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂ and PVDF, we optimized the PVDF-based electrolytes for improved energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs. Notably, a DSSC device with a PVDF-based electrolyte containing 15 wt% of Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂ in PVDF exhibited an overall efficiency of 7.52%.