Effect of Hydroquinone Dderivatives in Electrolytes on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Performance

New kinds of hydroquinone derivatives were synthesized and along with a azo dye applied as additives in the iodide/iodine redox electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells and their effect on the short-circuit photocurrent of dye sensitized solar cells was investigated. addition of 0.05 m a hydroquinone derivative in the electrolyte comprising 0.5 m 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (mpii) and 0.05 m i2 in a mixture of acetonitrile and valeronitrile (volume ratio, 85:15) enhanced signi?cantly photocurrent density from 11.1 to 12.8 ma/cm2, and voltage increased from 0.66 to 0.68 v. as a result, overall conversion ef?ciency increased from 4.4% to 4.8%, corresponding to increment of 10.9%.