Synthesis and Application of Different Types of Polyaniline/Alkyd Films on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Lee, Michelle Li Yen (2019) Synthesis and Application of Different Types of Polyaniline/Alkyd Films on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The extensive use of non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels by industrial activities has caused many environmental issues and renewable energy resources need to be explored to obtain clean and sustainable energy. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) produces electrical energy through absorption of solar energy and this provides an environmentally friendly alternative for energy production. Conventional DSSC utilizes platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode (CE) of DSSC and this increases the overall cost of DSSC as Pt is of high cost and limited resources with low long term stability due to the formation of potassium iodide (PtI4) with the DSSC electrolyte. Therefore, polyaniline (PAni) based CE is investigated as alternative to provide low cost, high stability and good electrical properties. In this study, different types of PAni/Alkyd films with enhanced electrical conductivity and adhesion have been formed on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate. The PAnis were synthesized through chemical oxidation using titanium dioxide (TiO2) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) while the palm oil-based alkyd was synthesized using alcoholysis and esterification methods. The PAnis/Alkyd films were coated and crosslinked onto FTO substrate. PAni/TiO2/MWNT/Alkyd recorded the highest conductivity of 1.758 x 103 S/cm, followed by PAni/TiO2/Alkyd having the conductivity of 1.496 x 103 S/cm due to the interfacial interaction between PAni and TiO2 and the percolation mechanism between PAni and MWNT. PAni/Alkyd showed the lowest conductivity of 0.544 x 103 S/cm due to the intrinsic conductivity contributed by the emeraldine salt form of PAni itself. The PAnis/Alkyd films adhered well to the FTO substrate due to the crosslink reactions between PAni, alkyd and the FTO substrate. The high conductivities of 0.544 to 1.758 x 103 S/cm and good adhesion of 4B to 5B test results exhibited by PAnis/Alkyd are expected to yield high power conversion efficiencies (PCE) and good DSSC performances.