Synthesis and characterization of cationic starch gel polymer electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell application

Date of Publication

2018

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemistry

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Chemistry

Thesis Adviser

Drexel H. Camacho

Defense Panel Chair

David P. Peñaloza, Jr.
Jasmine Angelie V. Albelda

Defense Panel Member

Carlo Aquino T. Ng
Jaime Raul O. Janairo
Glenn V. Alea

Abstract/Summary

Starch-based gel polymer electrolytes are good potential substitutes for conventional synthetic polymer electrolytes due to its low cost, high efficiency, excellent biodegradability and wide availability. However, its limited solubility, intrinsic hydrophilicity and crystalline characteristics limit the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte as well as its efficiency. This study reports the improvement in the starch properties through chemical modification and, the preparation of gel electrolyte using the modified starch as the polymer matrix and imidazolium-based ionic liquid as plasticizer. Potato starch was modified by incorporation of ionic liquid moieties in its chain resulting to cationic starch. The attachment of ionic moiety onto the starch backbone was confirmed by FTIR, 1H-NMR, thermogravimetric and elemental analyses. The cationic starch had high water solubility, flaky morphology, and high gelatinization temperature. The starch gel electrolyte showed enhanced conductivity with increase in ionic liquid content and redox couple (KI/I2) concentration. The optimized composition of the starch gel electrolyte having the highest ionic conductivity and the most efficient migration of I-/I- 3 redox couple contained 1:3 cationic starch: ionic liquid weight ratio and 70% wt KI/I2. Its application in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) had a power conversion efficiency of 0.634%. DSSC with starch gel electrolyte retained 41.67% of its efficiency up to 20 days and has good contact between electrodes. Despite low performance against commercial liquid electrolyte, its better stability and excellent contact filling property makes it a promising electrolyte.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG007635

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

xxi, 131, 36 pages ; illustration (some color) ; 30 cm. ; 1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

Keywords

Polyelectrolytes; Dye-sensitized solar cells

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