Formation of nanotubes in poly (vinylidene fluoride): Application as solid polymer electrolyte in DSC fabricated using carbon counter electrode

Highlights: → Incorporation of a π-electron donor compound as dopant in poly(vinylidene fluoride) along with redox couple (I-/I3-) which forms brush like nanotubes. → Investigations about the use of conducting carbon coated FTO as a durable counter electrode and its effects in DSC. → High charge separation and the channelized flow of electrons in the nanotubes in electrolyte favors stable performance. - Abstract: In the present work, we report the incorporation of 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) along with the redox couple (I-/I3-). When ABTS, a π-electron donor, is used to dope PVDF, the polymer composite forms brush-like nanotubes and has been successfully used as a solid polymer electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells. Under the given conditions, the electrolyte composition forms nanotubes while it is doped with ABTS, a π-electron donor. With this new electrolyte, a dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated using N3 dye adsorbed over TiO2 nanoparticles as the photoanode and conducting carbon cement coated FTO as counter electrode.