JP2010232108A - Dye-sensitized solar cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new dye-sensitized solar cell capable of improving the power generation efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The dye-sensitized solar cell 100 includes a first electrode 120 acting as an internal electrode, wherein a photoelectric conversion layer 126 is formed on the periphery thereof; a second electrode 140 arranged on the periphery of the first electrode 120; a tube body 160 housing the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140; and an electrolyte 180 with which a space is filled, wherein the space is formed by the inner periphery of the tube body 160 and the outer periphery of the first electrode 120, and the second electrode 140 is arranged in the space. The solar cell, further, has a configuration where the first electrode 120 transmits the light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160, wherein the first electrode 120 includes a transparent core member 122; a transparent conductive film 124 formed on the outer periphery of the core member 122; and the photoelectric conversion layer 126 formed of an porous oxide semiconductor which has adsorbed dye on the outer periphery of the transparent conductive film 124. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell that converts light energy into electrical energy.

Conventionally, various technologies have been proposed for solar cells that convert light energy into electrical energy. For example, a titanium wire with a TiO ₂ coating is inserted into a protective layer that is a TEFLON® (available from DuPont) microtube (available from Zeus Industrial Products), and a thin platinum wire is also There has been proposed a solar cell fiber that is inserted into a protective layer, functions as a counter electrode, and the protective layer is filled with a liquid electrolyte (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a transparent electrode layer inside the cylindrical transparent cell that transmits visible light, a porous semiconductor electrode layer made of an oxide semiconductor, a dye layer adsorbed on the porous semiconductor electrode layer, a charge transfer layer (electrolyte), a counter electrode A solar cell in which electrode layers are stacked has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  The first electrode and the second electrode forming separate bodies are at least one photoelectric conversion element disposed via an electrolyte, and the first electrode, the second electrode, and the electrolyte are substantially cylindrical. The first electrode and the second electrode both have a linear shape extending in the longitudinal direction in the housing, and the first electrode has at least a first conductivity. There has been proposed a photoelectric conversion element composed of a wire and a porous oxide semiconductor disposed on the outer periphery of the first wire and carrying a dye (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  In addition, a rod-like support rod is provided, and a reflective electrode, a P-type semiconductor layer, an I-type semiconductor layer, an N-type semiconductor layer, and a transparent electrode are sequentially laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the support rod, and on the lower surface side of the solar cell element A solar cell element has been proposed in which a reflective layer having a light reflecting property having a substantially semicircular cross section is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a transparent electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2005-516370 gazette Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-77550 JP 2008-181690 A JP 2007-250858 A

  By the way, in the dye-sensitized solar cell, improvement of the power generation efficiency is one of important technical problems to be solved.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a new dye-sensitized solar cell capable of improving power generation efficiency.

  The dye-sensitized solar cell of the present invention made in view of the above problems, a first electrode as an internal electrode having a photoelectric conversion layer formed on the outer periphery, a second electrode disposed on the outer periphery of the first electrode, A tube body that houses the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte solution that is formed by the tube body periphery and the first electrode periphery and is filled in a space in which the second electrode is disposed; The light incident from the surface can be transmitted through the first electrode.

  The first problem-solving means reflecting the present invention includes a transparent rod-shaped core member, a transparent conductive film formed on the outer periphery of the core member, and a porous material in which a dye is adsorbed on the outer periphery of the transparent conductive film. A first electrode including a photoelectric conversion layer formed of an oxide semiconductor; a second electrode disposed on an outer periphery of the first electrode; an outer periphery of the second electrode; the first electrode; A transparent tube body in which the second electrode is accommodated, and an electrolyte solution formed by the tube body periphery and the first electrode periphery, and filling a space in which the second electrode is disposed. This is a characteristic dye-sensitized solar cell.

  According to this, the number of times of light transmission to the photoelectric conversion layer forming the outer periphery of the first electrode can be increased because the light incident on the first electrode is transmitted through the first electrode.

  A second problem solving means is the dye-sensitized solar cell of the first problem solving means, wherein the tube body is formed of a glass material.

  According to this, it is possible to effectively realize the incidence of light from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body to the inside thereof. Here, being formed of a glass material includes a case where glass is mixed in addition to that formed of glass itself.

  A third problem solving means is the dye-sensitized solar cell of the first or second problem solving means, wherein the second electrode is formed of a transparent material.

  According to this, it can prevent that the light which injected from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body is interrupted by the 2nd electrode.

  The fourth problem solving means is the dye-sensitized solar cell according to any one of the first to third problem solving means, wherein light incident on the dye-sensitized solar cell is converted into the photoelectric conversion layer side. A light reflecting film that reflects light is included in the tube body.

  According to this, the frequency | count of transmission of the light to the photoelectric converting layer which forms the outer periphery of a 1st electrode with the reflected light which reflected the light reflection film can further be increased.

  A fifth problem-solving means is the dye-sensitized solar cell of the fourth problem-solving means, wherein the second electrode is formed in a film shape, and the second electrode formed in the film shape is the light reflection It functions as a film.

  According to this, the second electrode can also be used as a light reflecting film. That is, the number of times of light transmission to the photoelectric conversion layer forming the outer periphery of the first electrode can be further increased without increasing the configuration of the dye-sensitized solar cell.

  A sixth problem-solving means is the dye-sensitized solar cell according to the fourth problem-solving means, wherein the transparent conductive film has a conductive first transparent conductive film, and has conductivity and light. And a second conductive film reflecting, wherein the second conductive film functions as the light reflecting film.

  According to this, the second conductive film can also be used as a light reflecting film.

  According to the present invention, a new dye-sensitized solar cell capable of improving the power generation efficiency can be obtained.

Cross section of dye-sensitized solar cell The figure which shows the outline of the course of the light which entered the dye-sensitized solar cell The figure which shows the state which installed several dye-sensitized solar cells The figure which shows the outline of the course of the light which injected into the cross section of a dye-sensitized solar cell and the dye-sensitized solar cell The figure which shows the outline of the course of the light which injected into the cross section of a dye-sensitized solar cell and the dye-sensitized solar cell The figure which shows the outline of the course of the light which injected into the cross section of a dye-sensitized solar cell and the dye-sensitized solar cell

  Embodiments for implementing the above problem solving means reflecting the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The above-mentioned problem solving means is not limited to the configuration described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea.

(Embodiment 1)
The dye-sensitized solar cell 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The dye-sensitized solar cell 100 includes (is provided with) a first electrode 120, a second electrode 140, a tube body 160, and an electrolytic solution 180. Specifically, a plurality of (six in FIG. 1) second electrodes 140 are arranged on the outer periphery of the first electrode 120, and in this state, the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140 are accommodated in the tube body 160. Yes. The electrolytic solution 180 is formed by the inner periphery of the tube body 160 and the outer periphery of the first electrode 120, and fills the space in which the second electrode 140 is disposed. The number of the second electrodes 140 is not limited to the number (six) shown in FIG. For example, it can be ten.

  Here, the first electrode 120 includes (is provided with) a core member 122, a transparent conductive film 124, and a photoelectric conversion layer 126. The core member 122 is a transparent rod-like member, and is formed of, for example, glass. A transparent conductive film 124 is formed on the outer periphery of the core member 122. The transparent conductive film 124 is a film having transparent conductivity. The transparent conductive film 124 is formed of, for example, FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) or ITO (indium tin oxide).

A photoelectric conversion layer 126 is formed on the outer periphery of the transparent conductive film 124. The photoelectric conversion layer 126 is a porous material formed by, for example, applying titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) and baking after forming a transparent conductive film 124 on the outer periphery of the core member 122, and the dye is adsorbed thereon. ing. Examples of the dye include ruthenium and a complex dye (for example, N3, N719, etc.). The photoelectric conversion layer 126 has a thickness of about 10 μm, and light passes through the photoelectric conversion layer 126. The light is generated by passing through the photoelectric conversion layer 126. Note that the thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer 126 is not limited to about 10 μm and is appropriately determined.

  The second electrode 140 is formed of, for example, a platinum plated metal wire, a platinum wire, a metal wire coated with a conductive polymer, or a metal wire coated with carbon and fired. Alternatively, a glass wire coated with a conductive polymer such as PEDOT (polyethylenedioxythiophene) (hereinafter also referred to as “conductive polymer glass wire”) may be employed. The conductive polymer glass wire transmits light. That is, according to the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 in which the conductive polymer glass wire is used for the second electrode 140, when the light incident from the outer periphery of the tube body 160 travels to the first electrode 120 side, the second electrode Blocking by 140 can be prevented. The second electrode 140 is a thin wire having a diameter of about 5 to 100 μm.

  The tube body 160 is formed of a material that is transparent and has low gas permeability. For example, the tube body 160 is formed of glass. The outer diameter of the tube body 160 is a thin wire of about 5 mm.

  As the electrolytic solution 180, for example, an iodine-based electrolyte component dissolved in an organic solvent or an ionic liquid is employed. The width of the space filled with the electrolytic solution 180 ((the inner diameter of the tube body 160−the outer diameter of the first electrode 120) / 2) is substantially equal to the diameter of the second electrode 140.

  Next, the path of light incident in the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the arrow “1” shown in FIG. 2 shows the outline of the path of light traveling through the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 (without considering light refraction).

  The light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the transparent tube body 160 passes through the tube body 160 and the electrolytic solution 180 and enters the photoelectric conversion layer 126 (see A part in FIG. 2). As described above, in the dye-sensitized solar cell 100, since the photoelectric conversion layer 126 is formed so that light can be transmitted, the light is transmitted therethrough. Further, the light passes through the transparent conductive film 124 and enters the core member 122, travels through the transparent core member 122, and passes through the transparent conductive film from a position opposite to the light incident position on the core member 122. Then, the light passes through 124 and is incident again on the photoelectric conversion layer 126 (see part B in FIG. 2).

  Therefore, in the dye-sensitized solar cell 100, the light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160 passes through the photoelectric conversion layer 126 twice (the A part and the B part in FIG. 2), thereby improving the power generation efficiency. be able to. Even when light is incident from the position where the second electrode 140 is disposed, as described above, the second electrode 140 is formed of, for example, a conductive polymer glass wire, so that the light from the second electrode 140 is formed. Can be prevented, and the same function as described above can be exhibited.

  A dye-sensitized solar cell 100 having a cross-section shown in FIG. 1 has a rod-like (linear) appearance, and a plurality of the dye-sensitized solar cells 100 are installed in a predetermined range (see FIG. 3), and a predetermined place, for example, outdoors or near a window. Installed. The rod-shaped dye-sensitized solar cell 100 is sealed with a predetermined configuration so that the electrolyte solution 180 does not leak at both end faces. An electrode 102 connected to each of the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140 is provided on the sealing surface in order to take out the generated electricity.

  About the dye-sensitized solar cell 100, it is necessary to consider deterioration after installing this. That is, the dye-sensitized solar cell deteriorates when water vapor or air enters from a portion where the electrolytic solution 180 is sealed. Some dye-sensitized solar cells have a configuration in which two thin plates are combined in addition to the configuration in which the tube body 160 is employed. In the dye-sensitized solar cell having such a configuration, the electrolyte solution is sealed in the entire outer periphery of the two thin plates. On the other hand, in the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 employing the tube body 160, the portions where the electrolytic solution 180 is sealed are both end portions of the tube body 160. Therefore, the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 can reduce the sealing area and reduce the intrusion region of water vapor or the like as compared with the dye-sensitized solar cell having a configuration in which the entire outer periphery must be sealed. This is advantageous in this respect.

  In addition, in a dye-sensitized solar cell having a configuration in which the entire outer periphery must be sealed, if water vapor or the like enters from one place on the outer periphery, the entire dye-sensitized solar cell is affected. On the other hand, according to the configuration (see FIG. 3) in which a plurality of dye-sensitized solar cells 100 employing the tube body 160 are arranged in a predetermined range (see FIG. 3), even if one of them deteriorates, other dye-sensitized The solar cell 100 can maintain its function, which is also advantageous in this respect. Furthermore, by adopting the tube body 160, it is possible to provide flexibility with respect to its handling.

(Embodiment 2)
The dye-sensitized solar cell 200 of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 of Embodiment 1 will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. Further, the installation of the dye-sensitized solar cell 200 is also the same as that shown in FIG. In addition, about the member contained in the dye-sensitized solar cell 200, the member same as the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 is demonstrated using the code | symbol same as the code | symbol used in FIG.

  The dye-sensitized solar cell 200 of the second embodiment includes a second electrode 140 that is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a film-shaped second electrode (hereinafter, “ A second electrode composed of 240). The film-like second electrode 240 has a surface capable of reflecting light.

  In the dye-sensitized solar cell 200, light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160 (see arrow “1” in FIG. 4) passes through the tube body 160 and the electrolytic solution 180 and enters the photoelectric conversion layer 126 ( (See part A in FIG. 4). And the light which permeate | transmitted the A part then injects into the photoelectric converting layer 126 again (refer the B part of FIG. 4). Further, the light transmitted through the B part is reflected by the film-like second electrode 240 in a predetermined direction (see the C part), and the reflected light (see the arrow “2” in FIG. 4) is reflected into the D part and the E part (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 4), the light passes through the photoelectric conversion layer 126.

  Therefore, in the dye-sensitized solar cell 200, light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160 is transmitted through the photoelectric conversion layer 126 at least twice (A portion, B portion, D portion, E portion in FIG. 4). Therefore, the power generation efficiency can be further improved.

  When the dye-sensitized solar cell 200 is arranged in the mode shown in FIG. 3, the film-like second electrode 240 is installed on the lower side (lower side when FIG. 3 is viewed from the front).

  In addition, the dye-sensitized solar cell 200 of Embodiment 2 is configured such that the film-like second electrode 240 has a function as a reflective film. However, the dye-sensitized solar cell 300 in which the single reflective film 260 is disposed on the inner periphery of the tube body 160 can also be used (see FIG. 5). Also in this case, the same effect as the dye-sensitized solar cell 200 can be obtained.

  The dye-sensitized solar cells 200 and 300 can also employ the second electrode 140 made of a conductive polymer glass wire.

(Embodiment 3)
A dye-sensitized solar cell 400 of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 of Embodiment 1 will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. The installation of the dye-sensitized solar cell 400 is also the same as that shown in FIG. In addition, about the member contained in the dye-sensitized solar cell 400, the member same as the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 is demonstrated using the code | symbol same as the code | symbol used in FIG.

  The dye-sensitized solar cell 400 of Embodiment 3 has the same configuration as the transparent conductive film 124 of the first embodiment (has a function), that is, a transparent first conductive film 424a having conductivity, and a transparent A conductive film 424 including a second conductive film 424b constituting a predetermined part of the conductive film is provided. The second conductive film 424b has conductivity and its surface is capable of reflecting light. The resistance of the second conductive film 424b is lower than the resistance of the first conductive film 424a. Therefore, according to the conductive film 424 including the first conductive film 424a and the second conductive film 424b of the third embodiment, a low resistance can be realized as compared with the transparent conductive film not including the second conductive film 424b. it can.

  In the dye-sensitized solar cell 400, light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160 (see arrow “1” in FIG. 6) passes through the tube body 160 and the electrolytic solution 180 and enters the photoelectric conversion layer 126 ( (See part A in FIG. 6). And the light which permeate | transmitted A part is reflected in the predetermined direction by the 2nd electrically conductive film 424b (refer C part of FIG. 6), and reflected light (refer arrow "2" of FIG. 6) is reflected to E part (FIG. 6), the light passes through the photoelectric conversion layer 126 again.

  Therefore, in the dye-sensitized solar cell 100, the light incident from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160 passes through the photoelectric conversion layer 126 twice (the A part and the E part in FIG. 6), thereby improving the power generation efficiency. be able to.

  When the dye-sensitized solar cell 400 is disposed in the mode illustrated in FIG. 3, the second conductive film 424 b is disposed on the lower side (lower side when FIG. 3 is viewed from the front).

  The dye-sensitized solar cell 400 can also employ the second electrode 140 made of a conductive polymer glass wire.

(Modification)
In the above, the structure which employ | adopted glass was demonstrated to the example as a material which forms a tube body. However, other configurations can be employed. For example, a tube body formed by mixing a resin and glass can be used. In addition, when employ | adopting resin, an inorganic film is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the tube body 160 by methods, such as sputtering.

100, 200, 300, 400 Dye-sensitized solar cell 120 First electrode 122 Core member 124 Transparent conductive film 126 Photoelectric conversion layer 140 Second electrode 160 Tube body 180 Electrolytic solution

Claims (6)

A transparent rod-shaped core member, a transparent conductive film formed on the outer periphery of the core member, and a photoelectric conversion layer formed of a porous oxide semiconductor adsorbing a dye on the outer periphery of the transparent conductive film, A first electrode comprising:
A second electrode disposed on an outer periphery of the first electrode;
A transparent tube body disposed on the outer periphery of the second electrode and containing the first electrode and the second electrode;
A dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising: an electrolyte formed by the tube inner periphery and the first electrode outer periphery, and filling a space in which the second electrode is disposed.   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the tube body is made of a glass material.   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second electrode is made of a transparent material.   The light reflecting film which reflects the light which injected into the said dye-sensitized solar cell to the said photoelectric converting layer side is included in the inside of the said tube body, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A dye-sensitized solar cell according to 1.   5. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 4, wherein the second electrode is formed in a film shape, and the second electrode formed in the film shape functions as the light reflecting film.   The transparent conductive film is formed by a transparent first conductive film having conductivity and a second conductive film that has conductivity and reflects light, and the second conductive film functions as the light reflecting film. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 4.

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