JP2012174685A - Dye sensitized solar battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dye sensitized solar battery capable of maximizing energy conversion efficiency.SOLUTION: A dye sensitized solar battery includes a first conductive substrate 10 and a third conductive substrate 70 opposed to each other; a second conductive substrate 40 opposed to the third conductive substrate, having at least one through hole, and arranged between the first conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate; a photoelectric conversion part arranged between the second conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate and including a first photoelectric conversion part 51 contacting the third conductive substrate and a second photoelectric conversion part 52 contacting the second conductive substrate; a catalyst layer 20 isolated from the second conductive substrate and arranged on the first conductive substrate; and an electrolyte layer 80 interposed between the catalyst layer and the third conductive substrate.

Description

  The present invention relates to solar cells, and more particularly to dye-sensitized solar cells.

  A solar cell is a photoelectric energy conversion system that converts light energy emitted from the sun into electrical energy. Currently, mainly used silicon solar cells use a pn junction diode formed in silicon to perform the photoelectric energy conversion, but premature recombination of electrons and holes ( In order to prevent premature recombination, the silicon used must have high purity and low defects. Such technical requirements cause an increase in the cost of the materials used, so that the production cost per electric power is high for silicon solar cells.

  In addition, since only photons having energy above the bandgap contribute to the generation of current, the silicon of the silicon solar cell is doped to have as low a bandgap as possible. However, due to the lowered band gap, the excited electrons excited by blue light or ultraviolet light have excessive energy and are consumed as heat rather than contributing to current production. Also, the p-type layer must be thick enough to increase the likelihood that photons will be captured. However, such a thick p-type layer increases the likelihood that excited electrons will recombine with holes before reaching the pn junction, thus limiting the efficiency of silicon solar cells.

US Patent Publication No. 2005/0274412

  One technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell capable of maximizing energy conversion efficiency.

  In order to achieve the one technical problem, a dye-sensitized solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first conductive substrate, a third conductive substrate, and a third conductive substrate facing each other. A second conductive substrate disposed between the first conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate with at least one through-hole, and the second conductive substrate and the third conductive material. A photoelectric conversion unit including a first photoelectric conversion unit disposed between the substrate and the third conductive substrate; and a second photoelectric conversion unit contacting the second conductive substrate; and the second conductive substrate. And a catalyst layer disposed on the first conductive substrate and an electrolyte layer interposed between the catalyst layer and the third conductive substrate.

  The photoelectric conversion part is adsorbed by the oxide semiconductor particles and the oxide semiconductor particles, and includes dye substances having different spectrum distributions absorbed by the first photoelectric conversion part and the second photoelectric conversion part.

  The dye material is at least one of Ruthenium 535-bisTBA (N719), Ruthenium 620-1H3TBA (Black dye), Organic dye, Quantum-dot, or Natural dye. .

  The second conductive substrate is a metal thin film or a metal foil having a uniform thickness in a region other than the through hole.

  The second conductive substrate further includes at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface thereof.

  The second conductive substrate includes a mesh structure including wires woven while intersecting, a sintered structure in which powders are connected to each other, a porous conductive material layer, and a nanotube. At least one of the conductive films.

  The second conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate are electrically connected.

  The first conductive substrate, the second conductive substrate, and the third conductive substrate are flexible.

  The third conductive substrate is formed of a transparent conductive material.

  It further includes an insulating support disposed at least one between the catalyst layer and the second conductive substrate or between the second conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate.

  The insulating support includes a porous insulating material, and the electrolyte layer is impregnated into the insulating support of the porous insulating material.

  A first sealing material disposed at an edge between the first conductive substrate and the second conductive substrate; and a second sealing material disposed at an upper edge of the second conductive substrate. In addition, the through hole is formed in the second conductive substrate excluding a region between the first sealing material and the second sealing material.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dye-sensitized solar cell includes dye materials having different spectral distributions absorbed by oxide semiconductor particles according to a conductive substrate that is separately disposed between two conductive substrates. An adsorbed photoelectric conversion unit can be provided. Accordingly, a highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell can be manufactured through maximizing the energy conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell by maximizing the wavelength absorbed by the dye-sensitized solar cell.

It is sectional drawing of the dye-sensitized solar cell by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the dye-sensitized solar cell by one Embodiment of this invention which has a softness | flexibility. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second conductive substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second conductive substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view illustrating a method of forming a second conductive substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the dye-sensitized solar cell by other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the dye-sensitized solar cell by other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the dye-sensitized solar cell by other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the dye-sensitized solar cell by other embodiment of this invention.

  The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention can be easily understood through the following preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosed contents can be thoroughly and completely transmitted, and to fully convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

  Also, when a film herein is referred to as being on another film or substrate, it can be formed directly on the other film or substrate, or a third film interposed therebetween It can be done. In the drawings, the thickness of the film and the region is exaggerated in order to effectively explain the technical contents. In addition, in the various embodiments of the present specification, terms such as first, second, and third are used to describe various regions, films, and the like. It is not limited. These terms are only used to distinguish one given region or film from another region or film. Accordingly, the film referred to as the first film in any one embodiment may be referred to as the second film in other embodiments. The singular form includes the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Each embodiment described and illustrated herein includes its complementary embodiments. Parts denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification indicate the same components.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dye-sensitized solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible dye-sensitive solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second conductive substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dye-sensitized solar cell 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is opposed to first and third conductive substrates 10 and 70 facing each other and the third conductive substrate 70. A second conductive substrate 40 having at least one through hole 42 and disposed between the first conductive substrate 10 and the third conductive substrate 70, and the second conductive substrate 40. The first and second photoelectric conversion units 51, one in contact with the third conductive substrate 70 and in contact with the third conductive substrate 70, and the other in contact with the second conductive substrate 40, The photoelectric conversion unit 50 including 52 is included.

  In addition, the catalyst layer 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the first conductive substrate 10, and the first sealing material 30 is disposed on the edge between the catalyst layer 20 and the second conductive substrate 40, A second sealing material 60 is disposed at an edge between the second conductive substrate 40 and the third conductive substrate 70, and a space between the catalyst layer 20 and the third conductive substrate 70 is disposed in the space. An electrolyte layer 80 is interposed.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the photoelectric conversion unit 50 is in contact with the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 and the second conductive substrate 40 in contact with the third conductive substrate 70, and the first photoelectric conversion unit. A second photoelectric conversion unit 52 facing 51 can be included. At this time, the second photoelectric conversion unit 52 is spaced apart from the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 at a predetermined interval. Accordingly, the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 and the second photoelectric conversion unit 52 are separated from each other.

  The first photoelectric conversion unit 51 may include a first oxide semiconductor particle 53 and a first dye material 54 adsorbed on the surface of the first oxide semiconductor particle 53. The first photoelectric conversion unit 51 may include a first oxide semiconductor particle 53 and a first dye material 54 adsorbed on the surface of the first oxide semiconductor particle 53. At this time, the first dye material 54 may have a different absorption spectrum from the second dye material 56.

The first oxide semiconductor particles 53 and the second oxide semiconductor particles 55 may be at least one of metal oxides including a transition metal oxide. For example, the transition metal oxide includes titanium oxide TiO ₂ , tin oxide SnO ₂ , zirconium oxide ZrO ₂ , silicon oxide SiO ₂ , magnesium oxide MgO, niobium oxide Nb ₂ O ₅ and zinc oxide ZnO. It may be at least one selected in the group made in the above. The first oxide semiconductor particles 53 and the second oxide semiconductor particles 55 may be the same material or other materials. The first oxide semiconductor particles 53 and the second oxide semiconductor particles 55 may have a nano-sized particle size of about 5 to 30 nm, for example.

  The first dye material 54 and the second dye material 56 may be made of dye molecules such as a ruthenium complex capable of converting light energy into electrical energy. For example, the first dye material 54 and the second dye material 56 may be Ruthenium 535-bisTBA (N719), Ruthenium 620-1H3TBA (Black dye), an organic dye, a quantum dot, or a natural dye. As in (Natural dye), at least one of various dyes having a function of being adsorbed by the first oxide semiconductor particles 53 or the second oxide semiconductor particles 55 and generating electrons by sunlight. It can be.

  The first conductive substrate 10 and the second conductive substrate 40 may be formed of a metal thin film or a metal foil including at least one of a metal and a metal alloy. For example, the first conductive substrate 10 and the second conductive substrate 40 may be formed to include at least one of titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. It can be formed including a substance. In addition, the lower surface of the first conductive substrate 10 may be coated with an insulating thin film (not shown). The first conductive substrate 10 and the second conductive substrate 40 may be electrically connected through a wire 90.

The third conductive substrate 70 may be formed of a transparent conductive material as a light receiving substrate. For example, the third conductive substrate 70 may be formed of glass coated with a transparent conductive layer or a polymer film coated with a transparent conductive layer. For example, the transparent conductive layer may be made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or SnO ₂ and is in contact with the first photoelectric conversion unit 51.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first conductive substrate 10, the second conductive substrate 40, and the third conductive substrate 70 may have a rigid characteristic. Unlike this, as shown in FIG. 2, the first conductive substrate 10, the second conductive substrate 40, and the third conductive substrate 70 may have flexible characteristics. . If the first conductive substrate 10, the second conductive substrate 40, and the third conductive substrate 70 are flexible, the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 may have flexible characteristics. That is, the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 can operate normally without substantial loss of function or product damage even under an external force that can deform the outer shape of the product. When the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 has flexible characteristics, for example, the first conductive substrate 10, the second conductive substrate 40, and the third conductive substrate 70 have a thickness of several micrometers to several millimeters. Further, the specific thickness may be different according to the type of the material.

The electrolyte layer 80 is in a liquid, quasi-solid or solid state in a space between the catalyst layer 20 and the third conductive substrate 70 partitioned by the first sealing material 30 and the second sealing material 60. Can be filled with electrolyte. For example, the electrolyte layer 80 may include an iodide-based redox electrolyte. For example, the electrolyte layer 80 includes 0.7 M 1-vinyl-3-hexyl-imidazolium iodide, 0.1 M LiI, and 40 mM I ₂ (Iodine). I ₃ ⁻ / I ⁻ electrolyte dissolved in 3-methoxypropionitrile, 0.6 M butylmethylimidazolium, 0.02 M I ₂ , 0.1 M guanidinium An acetonitrile solution containing guanidinium thiocynate and 0.5 M 4-tert-butylpyridine, an alkyl, Any one of loumidazolium iodides or tetra-alkylammonium iodides can be included.

  The electrolyte layer 80 may further include a surface additive. For example, the surface additive may be at least one of tertiary-butylpyridine (TBP), benzimidazole (BI), and N-methylbenzimidazole (NMBI).

  For the electrolyte layer 80, one of acetonitrile, propionitrile, or a mixture of acetonitrile and valeronitrile can be used as a solvent.

  The catalyst layer 20 contacts the electrolyte layer 80 so that it can participate in the electrolyte reduction process. The catalyst layer 20 may be formed on the surface of the first conductive substrate 10 so as to be spaced apart from the second conductive substrate 40 at a predetermined interval. If the electrolyte layer 80 includes the iodide-based redox electrolyte, the catalyst layer 20 may be formed of platinum Pt.

  If light having different spectral distributions in sunlight is incident on the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 and the second photoelectric conversion unit 52 through the third conductive substrate 70, the first and second dyes are used. The electrons of the materials 54 and 56 are excited by incident light and injected into the conduction band of the first or second oxide semiconductor particles 53 and 55, and then the second or third. Reduction is performed on the electrolyte layer 80 via the conductive substrates 40 and 70, a predetermined load L (load), and the first conductive substrate 10. Such a process is called an electronic circulation system of the dye-sensitized solar cell 100.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 can absorb light having different spectrum distributions through the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 and the second photoelectric conversion unit 52. That is, the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 absorbs a part of light incident through the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 and a part of the light not absorbed by the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 in the second photoelectric conversion. It can be absorbed through part 52. In this way, the light absorbed through the first photoelectric conversion unit 51 and the second photoelectric conversion unit 52 is combined through the third conductive substrate 70 and the second conductive substrate 40, respectively, to form an electrolyte. Can be used in the reduction process. As a result, it is possible to maximize the energy conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 by widening the wavelength range absorbed by the dye-sensitive solar cell 100, and thereby manufacturing the dye-sensitive solar cell 100 with high efficiency. it can.

  On the other hand, in order for the electrolyte reduction process or the electron circulation process of the dye-sensitized solar cell 100 to be continuously performed, ions that have lost electrons in the photoelectric conversion unit 50 are diffused into the catalyst layer 20 where the reduction process is performed. There must be. For this reason, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second conductive substrate 40 disposed between the photoelectric conversion unit 50 and the catalyst layer 20 has at least one through hole 42.

  The plurality of through holes 42 may be regularly arranged in a partial region of the second conductive substrate 40. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the through-holes 42 are regularly formed, two vectors a in which the relative position and distance between one through-hole 42 and the adjacent through-hole 42 are not parallel are shown. , B. Further, the relative position and distance between a plurality of other adjacent through holes 42 can be similarly expressed by the two vectors a and b. As described above, when the through holes 42 are regularly arranged in the second conductive substrate 40, the ions can be uniformly diffused into the catalyst layer 20. As a result, since the reduction process is uniform and performed efficiently, the photoelectric performance of the product can be improved.

  Meanwhile, the arrangement of all the through holes 42 formed in the second conductive substrate 40 can be substantially completely expressed by a plurality of vector sets including a vector set including predetermined vectors. If the number of vector sets that define the placement of the through-holes 42 increases, the through-holes 42 have reduced regularity and can be placed or randomly placed. That is, the regularity level in the arrangement of the through holes 42 may vary. The width of the through hole 42 may be smaller than or several times the average diameter of the first and second oxide semiconductor particles 53 and 55. For example, the width of the through hole 42 may be about several nanometers to several centimeters.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second conductive substrate 40 may be formed to a substantially uniform thickness in all regions except the through hole 42. Unlike this, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second conductive substrate 40 may include at least one protrusion 45 extending from an upper surface thereof. However, the protrusion 45 can be variously modified from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B. For example, the protrusion 45 may include at least one of a portion extending downward from the lower surface of the second conductive substrate 40 or a portion extending upward from the upper surface of the second conductive substrate 40. Also, the position and thickness where the protrusion 45 is disposed can be variously modified.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the through hole 42 is formed by etching 99 a metal film for the second conductive substrate 40 through an etching mask EM including at least one opening 95 defining the position of the through hole 42. Can be done. For example, the etching may be a wet etch that etches at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the metal layer for the second conductive substrate 40.

  The etching mask EM may be formed of a reusable material such as a polymer compound or ceramic. If a reusable etching mask is used in this way, not only the preparation cost of the second conductive substrate 40 having the through holes 42 can be reduced, but also all of the dye-sensitized solar cells in which the positions of the through holes 42 are manufactured. Can be substantially the same. The reduction in the positional variation of the through hole 42 may improve the uniformity in product characteristics of the dye-sensitized solar cell to be manufactured.

  5 to 8 are sectional views of a dye-sensitized solar cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of simplicity, descriptions of technical features that are duplicated with the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B are omitted.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, at least one of the first support 82 and the second support 84 may be disposed between the catalyst layer 20 and the third conductive substrate 70. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the first support 82 may be disposed between the catalyst layer 20 and the second conductive substrate 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the second support 84 may be disposed between the second conductive substrate 40 and the third conductive substrate 70. As shown in FIG. 7, the first support 82 is disposed between the catalyst layer 20 and the second conductive substrate 40, and the second support 84 is connected to the second conductive substrate 40 and the second conductive substrate 40. It may be disposed between the third conductive substrate 70.

  The first support 82 may be a spacer that physically / electrically separates the second conductive substrate 40 from the catalyst layer 20. The first support 82 may be formed of an insulating material such as glass, ceramic, or plastic. The first support 82 may have a ball shape or a bar shape. Here, the first support 82 is illustrated in a bar shape. However, the material and shape of the first support 82 can be variously modified.

  The insulating first support 82 can prevent direct contact (ie, electrical short) between the catalyst layer 20 and the second conductive substrate 40, and the catalyst layer 20 and the first support 82 can be prevented. The distance between the two conductive substrates 40 can be kept constant. Accordingly, even when an external force acts on the third conductive substrate 70 or the first conductive substrate 10, product damage due to an electrical short can be prevented.

  In contrast, the first support 82 or the second support 84 may be formed of a porous insulating material. For example, the first support 82 or the second support 84 may be a polymer material or ceramic having fine absorption holes (not shown). According to such an embodiment, the electrolyte layer 80 is interposed between the catalyst layer 20 and the third conductive substrate 70 while filling the absorption holes of the first support 82 or the second support 84. obtain. That is, the electrolyte layer 80 can be impregnated into the first support 82 or the second support 84.

  According to an exemplary embodiment, the absorption holes of the first support 82 may be continuously connected so that ions that have lost electrons in the photoelectric conversion unit 50 can diffuse into the catalyst layer 20 that undergoes a reduction process.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the through hole 42 may be provided by the second conductive substrate 40 having a structure different from that of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. At this time, the second conductive substrate 40 includes a mesh structure including interwoven and woven wires, a sintered structure in which powders are connected to each other, a porous structure, and a porous structure. It may be at least one of a conductive film including a quality conductive material layer and a nanotube.

  According to the modified embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the upper or lower surface of the second conductive substrate 40 may not be locally flattened. That is, the thickness of the second conductive substrate 40 may vary depending on the position, and such a non-uniform thickness may appear between the first sealing material 30 and the second sealing material 60. . At this time, in order to prevent the electrolyte layer 80 from leaking, good adhesive properties are provided between the first sealing material 30 and the second sealing material 60 and the second conductive substrate 40. Can have.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 8, the through hole 42 is interposed between the first sealing material 30 and the second sealing material 60. It may not be formed in the edge region of the conductive substrate 40. That is, the edge region of the second conductive substrate 40 may be a flat film without the through hole 42. In this case, the outflow of the electrolyte layer 80 can be effectively suppressed.

  Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 8, at least one of the catalyst layer 20 and the second conductive substrate 40 or at least one of the second conductive substrate 40 and the third conductive substrate 70 in FIG. The first support 82 or the second support 84 may be further disposed.

  In addition, the third conductive substrate 70 may further include an inlet (not shown) for injecting the electrolyte layer 80. The inlet is sealed after the electrolyte layer 80 is formed.

  In addition, in FIGS. 4 to 8, the dye having flexibility as shown in FIG. 2 through thickness adjustment of the first conductive substrate 10, the second conductive substrate 40, and the third conductive substrate 70. Of course, sensitive solar cells can be manufactured.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the first sealing material 30 has been described as being disposed between the catalyst layer 20 and the second conductive substrate 40. However, the first sealing material 30 is different from the first sealing material 30. One side of the stopper 30 is in contact with the first conductive substrate 10, and the other side is in contact with the second conductive substrate 40 between the first conductive substrate 10 and the second conductive substrate 40. Can be arranged.

  The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but is intended to be limited by the appended claims. Accordingly, various forms of substitution, modification, and change can be made by persons having ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the technical idea of the present invention described in the claims. Should belong to the range.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st conductive substrate 20 Catalyst layer 30 1st sealing material 40 2nd conductive substrate 42 Through-hole 45 Protrusion part 50 Photoelectric conversion part 51 1st photoelectric conversion part 52 2nd photoelectric conversion part 53 1st oxide semiconductor particle 54 1st dye substance 53 1st oxide semiconductor particle 56 2nd dye substance 60 2nd sealing material 70 3rd conductive substrate 80 Electrolyte layer 82 1st support body 84 2nd support body 90 Wire 95 Opening part 100 Dye sensitivity Solar cell

Claims (9)

A first conductive substrate and a third conductive substrate facing each other;
A second conductive substrate opposed to the third conductive substrate and having at least one through hole and disposed between the first conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate;
A first photoelectric conversion unit disposed between the second conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate and contacting the third conductive substrate; and a second photoelectric conversion unit contacting the second conductive substrate. Including a photoelectric conversion unit;
A catalyst layer disposed on the first conductive substrate and spaced apart from the second conductive substrate;
A dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising: an electrolyte layer interposed between the catalyst layer and the third conductive substrate.   The photoelectric conversion part includes dye substances adsorbed on the oxide semiconductor particles and the oxide semiconductor particles, and having different spectrum distributions absorbed by the first photoelectric conversion part and the second photoelectric conversion part. The dye-sensitized solar cell described.   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the second conductive substrate is a metal thin film or a metal foil having a uniform thickness in a region other than the through hole.   4. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 3, wherein the second conductive substrate further includes at least one protrusion extending from at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface thereof.   The second conductive substrate includes at least one of a mesh structure including wires woven while intersecting, a sintered body in which powders are connected to each other, a porous conductive material layer, and a conductive film including nanotubes. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1, wherein   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the second conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate are electrically connected.   The insulating support further comprises at least one insulating support disposed between the catalyst layer and the second conductive substrate, or between the second conductive substrate and the third conductive substrate. 1. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to 1.   8. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 7, wherein the insulating support includes a porous insulating material, and the electrolyte layer is impregnated in the insulating support of the porous insulating material. A first encapsulant disposed at an edge between the first conductive substrate and the second conductive substrate;
A second encapsulant disposed on an edge of the second conductive substrate, and the second encapsulant.
2. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the through hole is formed in the second conductive substrate excluding a region between the first sealing material and the second sealing material.

Images