Using Taguchi method for prepared gel electrolyte and applied in the dye-sensitized solar cells

In this paper, we study the Taguchi method applied to preparing the gel electrolyte used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Due to the electrolyte occupies a very important role for high performance or long-term stability, use gel electrolyte allows improve the life time of the dye-sensitized solar cell. In this paper, the common ingredients of the liquid electrolyte-based was employed but do not use the more expensive ionic liquids and use poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) to make colloidal electrolyte. The optimal combination electrolyte used in the dye-sensitized solar cell shows the conversion efficiency (η) of 5.52%, and the life time of over 110 days. It compared with the general one which using liquid electrolyte, its life time has increased about 10 times.