CNTs-based solid-state electrolytes

Oxidized MWCNTs have also been tested in conjunction with solid-state electrolytes [107]. Compared to pristine MWCNTs, the oxidized MWCNTs have a better miscibility with the ionic liquids used in the electrolyte. Overall, a much improved gelforming ability resulted. The latter was clearly reflected in the device performance. In particular, devices with oxidized MWCNTs outperformed those with pristine MWCNTs and the reference devices in terms of photocurrents, Vocs, and efficiencies. Importantly, the device stability was also greatly enhanced when oxidized MWCNTs were implemented - 100 days with a loss of overall efficiency by less than 10 °/o. The authors ascribed the drop in efficiency to phase separation and subsequent leakage of ionic liquids. 

Another very interesting example was presented by Huang et al. in 2011 [108], They used 15-crown-5-functionalized MWCNTs as dopant material (Fig. 18.6). The main incentive for their work is based on the binding Li+ ions that are present in the electrolyte by means of crown ether complexation. As a matter of fact, Li+ is expected to attract 1 ions, which would render any movement difficult within the electrolyte 

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Actually, PFIL on the electrode assembly offered a suitable electrochemical microenvironment for electrochemical reaction in this case, it was not absolutely electrol3rte free. Thus, it also hints functionalized IL could be used as solid-state electrolyte for some specific applications, such as solar cells. Figure 4.13b shows a full solid-state, flexible, cfye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on novel ionic liquid gel (PVA-g-VIC4Br), organic dye, ZnO nanoparticles, and CNTs thin film stamped onto a polyethylene... 

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