Lignin-Based Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Sustainable Aqueous Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

• DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c01882
• Publication Date: 2021-06-14T19:52:40Z
• Authors: Juan Carlos de Haro; Elisavet Tatsi; Lucia Fagiolari; Matteo Bonomo; Claudia Barolo; Stefano Turri; Federico Bella; Gianmarco Griffini
• Keywords: Pervaporation

In the quest for sustainable materials quasi-solid-state (QS) electrolytes in aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), novel bioderived polymeric membranes were prepared this work by reaction of preoxidized kraft lignin with poly(ethylene glycol)diglycidylether (PEGDGE). The effect PEGDGE/lignin relative proportions on characteristics obtained was thoroughly investigated, and clear structure-property correlations highlighted. particular, glass transition temperature found to decrease increasing amount PEGDGE formulation, indicating that polyethylene glycol chains act as flexible segments increase molecular mobility three-dimensional network. Concurrently, their swelling ability liquid electrolyte concentration PEGDGE, which also shown influence ionic transport efficiency within membrane. incorporation these lignin-based cross-linked systems QS frameworks DSSCs allowed preparation devices excellent long-term stability under UV-vis light, be superior benchmark QS-DSSCs incorporating state-of-the-art carboxymethylcellulose membranes. This study provides first demonstration stable DSSCs, establishing a straightforward strategy exploit potential functional polymer precursor field photovoltaic devices.