Gel Electrolytes with Polyamidopyridine Dendron Modified Talc for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Organic–inorganic hybrid layered materials are proposed as additives in a quasi-solid gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. Talcs could provide a low-cost and environmentally friendly, as well as abundant, option as gelators. Here, talcs were prepared by functionalizing an organotalc with three polyamidopyridine dendron generations, PAMPy-talc-Gn (n = 1, 2 and 3). PAMPy dendrons grow parallel to the lamellae plane and form an organized structure by intermolecular interactions. In addition, polyiodide–dendron charge-transfer complexes were prepared onto the organotalc by adsorption of iodine. In this work, the effect of the dendron generation of PAMPy-talc and the influence of polyiodide intercalation on solar cell performance and stability were investigated. The best results were reached with the use of lowest-generation PAMPy-talc (η = 4.5 ± 0.3%, VOC = 710 ± 19 mV, Jsc = 10.4 ± 0.9 mA cm–2, and FF = 61 ± 2%): 15% higher efficiency compared to similar liquid devices. While some previously studi...