Performance comparison of nitrile-based liquid electrolytes on bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells under low-concentrated light

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has low power output and efficiency. Even though the low-concentrated light can increase the P_OUT and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSC, the effect of increase in the cell temperature, particularly electrolyte evaporation, becomes a major concern. In this study, we compared and investigated the performance of acetonitrile (AN-50), propionitrile (PN-50), and 3-metoxy propionitrile (Z-100) as nitrile-based electrolyte under low-concentrated light. The results showed 4–8 times increase in J_SC and P_OUT in all electrolytes. AN-50 demonstrated an improved performance under influence of 2 cm distance concave mirror concentrated light with the highest J_SC = 74.21 mA/cm², P_OUT = 24.53 mW/cm², and η = 7.99%. However, the performance of cell with AN-50 and PN-50 started to degrade within 3 h of measurement. In contrast, Z-100 displayed performance stability during 4 days measurement even with the lowest J_SC= 49.98 mA/cm², P_OUT = 19.50 mW/cm², and η = 6.35%. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]