TWI433334B - Printer - Google Patents

Description

Printing device

The present invention relates to a printing device, and more particularly to a printing device suitable for a dye-sensitized solar cell process.

In order to solve the global energy crisis and reduce environmental pollution, solar cells that can directly convert solar radiation energy into electrical energy are new topics for active innovation and research and development in recent years. Among them, Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) belongs to The third generation of organic solar cells has the characteristics of low cost and similar energy conversion efficiency of tantalum thin film solar cells. Compared with traditional single (poly) germanium or amorphous germanium solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells have low cost of raw materials, and easy process and simple process equipment can effectively reduce solar cell power generation costs. The commercialization is quite helpful, and because it is not affected by the angle of sunlight, and the long time of absorbing light, the power generation at the same time can be better than the traditional twin solar cells. In short, dye-sensitized solar cells have the advantages of large area, light transmission, low cost, high efficiency, simple production and high plasticity, so they have great potential for development and can become the mainstream of the next generation of solar cell technology development.

The basic principle of operation of solar cells is that the movement of electrons is exacerbated when certain substances are illuminated by light; if the electrons are directed through a potential in a circuit, electrical energy is obtained. The basic design of the dye-sensitized solar cell is to chemically adsorb the dye molecules on the surface of the metal oxide semiconductor particles, and then apply the particles to the anode of the battery circuit as a photosensitive layer; A layer of electrolyte is added between the photosensitive layer and the cathode to help conduct electricity.

The structure of the conventional dye-sensitized solar cell 1 is mainly composed of an anode 10, a cathode 11 and an electrolytic layer 15 between the electrodes, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the anode 10 comprises a conductive substrate 12, for example, glass. Or a transparent conductive substrate such as a film substrate, a semiconductor film 13 provided on the conductive substrate 12, and a dye layer 14, wherein the semiconductor film 13 is usually composed of titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles and has an electron conduction function; A transparent conductive substrate 12' is disposed, and a transparent conductive film 16 is formed under the conductive substrate 12'. The transparent conductive film 16 is formed of a conductive material of a platinum catalyst, and the electrolytic layer 15 disposed between the electrodes is It can be formed by a redox electrolyte.

The dye layer 14 in the conventional dye-sensitized solar cell 1 mainly uses a highly efficient and highly stable photosensitizer such as a ruthenium complex dye (N3, N719 or a related derivative thereof), generally, an anode thereof. The process of 10 is mainly to form a slurry containing titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nano particles on the conductive substrate 12 by coating, and through a drying process to form a semiconductor film 13, and then, The conductive substrate 12 having the semiconductor film 13 is immersed in a ruthenium complex dye solution to adsorb a dye on the surface of the titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles, thereby forming a dye layer 14 on the semiconductor film 13.

In the process of the dye-sensitized solar cell 1, the large-area anode coating process has greatly benefited the commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells, and has become an indispensable technology for developing dye-sensitized solar cells. However, at present, the anode coating process generally adopts a coating process such as doctor blade coating, rotary coating or screen printing. However, regardless of the coating process, the coating film thickness of the coating film cannot be precisely controlled. And if the screen printing method is adopted, it is necessary to re-plate for different plates, and it is difficult to carry out a small amount of various production.

In view of this, how to develop a printing device suitable for dye-sensitized solar cell process that can print semiconductor film and dye over a large area and precisely control its printing thickness, in order to improve the lack of the above-mentioned conventional technology, is currently urgent The problem that needs to be solved.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a printing device suitable for a dye-sensitized solar cell process, which solves the problem that the coating process used in the manufacture of the titanium dioxide electrode of the conventional dye-sensitized solar cell has a coating film which cannot accurately control the coating thereof. Thickness, and depending on the product requirements, it is necessary to re-plate, which is not conducive to the shortcomings of a small number of products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus suitable for a dye-sensitized solar cell process for printing a water-soluble semiconductor solvent containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles on a conductive substrate, thereby forming a porous structure. The semiconductor film is further printed on the semiconductor film of the porous structure by a printing device, thereby printing the titanium dioxide electrode in a large area, in addition to accurately controlling the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent. In addition to the volume of the printed droplets, the printed pattern can be flexibly adjusted according to the requirements of different products, which is more applicable and beneficial to a small variety of products.

In order to achieve the above object, a broader aspect of the present invention provides a printing apparatus suitable for the process of dye-sensitized solar cells, comprising at least: a platform mechanism for carrying a conductive substrate; and at least two sets of print head assemblies Each of which is a water-soluble semiconductor solvent and a dye solvent; wherein the platform mechanism carrying the conductive substrate is displaced relative to at least two sets of print head assemblies, thereby performing water solubility on the surface of the conductive substrate in sequence The printing operation of the semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent, and the thickness of the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent printed on the surface of the conductive substrate is between 0.1 um and 100 um.

Some exemplary embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following description. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of various modifications in the various aspects of the present invention, and the description and illustration are in the nature of

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic structural view of a dye-sensitized solar cell according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the dye-sensitized solar cell 2 of the present invention is mainly composed of a main electrode plate 20, a negative electrode plate 21, and a setting. The electrolytic layer 25 is formed between the main electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 21, wherein the main electrode plate 20 is composed of a conductive substrate 22, a semiconductor film 23 and a dye 24, and the negative electrode plate 21 is composed of a conductive substrate 22' and The transparent conductive film 26 is formed. In this embodiment, the conductive substrate 22 of the main electrode plate 20 may be, but not limited to, a polymer conductive plate, and the conductive substrate 22' of the negative electrode plate 21 may be a glass or a film substrate, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the conductive substrate 22 of the main electrode plate 20 and the conductive substrate 22' of the negative electrode plate 21 may be transparent conductive substrates formed of the same material.

Taking the embodiment as an example, the transparent conductive film 26 formed on the side of the conductive substrate 22' may be formed of a conductive material such as platinum catalyst or indium tin oxide, but not limited thereto. The conductive film 26 is plated on the side of the conductive substrate 22' to form the negative electrode plate 21. As for the electrolytic layer 25, it may be formed by a charge transporting medium, for example, but not limited to, an organic electrolyte containing an iodide ion (I ^- ) or a triiodide ion (I ₃ ^- ).

Further, the semiconductor film 23 is a porous structure composed of titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles, and is covered on the surface 220 of the conductive substrate 22, after which the dye 24 is further covered by titanium dioxide (TiO _{2 ).} On the porous semiconductor film 23 composed of the nanoparticles, the dye 24 is adsorbed on the surface of the titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles, and the dye 24 is a ruthenium complex dye, for example, N3, N719 or related A derivative, a pure organic dye, such as a photosensitive dye such as JK-46, or a green organic dye, and is not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 at the same time, wherein FIG. 3 is a manufacturing flow chart of the dye-sensitized solar cell of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, when the dye-sensitized solar cell 2 of the present invention is to be manufactured, first, as shown in step S30, a negative electrode plate 21 is first provided, and the negative electrode plate 21 is covered by the conductive substrate 22'. The transparent conductive film 26 is formed. Then, as shown in step S31, a conductive substrate 22 is provided, and a water-soluble semiconductor solvent is sprayed on the surface 220 of the conductive substrate 22 by a printing device 4 to form the surface 220. Forming a porous structure of the semiconductor film 23, wherein the water-soluble semiconductor solvent is a water-soluble semiconductor solvent containing titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles, and the printing device 4 contains titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) The water-soluble semiconductor solvent of the nano particles is printed on the conductive substrate 22 to form a porous structure having a large area and a uniform thickness; and then, as shown in step S32, a dye solvent is sprayed again by the printing device 4, And uniformly coating the dye solvent on the porous semiconductor film 23 of the conductive substrate 22 such that the dye 24 is adsorbed on the surface of the titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles; then, as shown in step S33, The surface The conductive substrate 22 on which the porous semiconductor film 23 and the dye solvent are printed is baked and baked, and baked at a temperature of 400 ° C, whereby the electrode on the conductive substrate 22 (ie, the porous semiconductor film) 23 and the dye 24) are cured to form the main electrode plate 20; thereafter, as shown in step S34, the main electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 21 are subjected to an Epoxy Dry Film encapsulation process, that is, the surface The conductive substrate 22 on which the porous semiconductor film 23 and the dye solvent are printed on 220 and the conductive substrate 22' overlying the transparent conductive film 26 are disposed opposite to each other, and then processed by an Epoxy Dry Film package, thereby conducting electricity. The substrate 22 and the conductive substrate 22' together form a plate structure, and a closed accommodating space 250 is formed between the main electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 21; then, as shown in step S35, the main body is The Epoxy Dry Film package portion between the electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 21 is etched to form an opening (not shown), and the opening is connected to the accommodating space 250; , as shown in step S36, passing the charge transport medium through the opening Injecting into the accommodating space 250, the charge transporting medium can be circulated and stored in the accommodating space 250; and, as shown in step S37, the opening is closed, thereby transferring the charge in the accommodating space 250. The medium forms the electrolytic layer 25, and utilizes the charge transporting medium in the electrolytic layer 25 as a medium for redox, while further completing the electrode-mixture-electrode-switched dye-sensitized solar cell 2 as shown in Fig. 2.

Through the method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell of the present invention, a water-soluble semiconductor solvent containing a titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticle and a dye solvent are printed on the conductive substrate 22 in a large area by a combination of a printing technique, and a dry film is used. After encapsulation, the liquid charge transport medium is injected to complete the process, and the electrode overprinting process can be implemented in a large area and easily, and the aperture size or pattern formed by the printing can be adjusted according to different requirements, so as to achieve a small variety of product production. Compared with the traditional coating process such as blade coating, rotary coating or screen printing, the printing technology adopted in this case can accurately control the semiconductor film 23 in addition to efficient large-area printing. The thickness of the dye 24, and need not be re-plated for more different product requirements, more applicability.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic structural view of a printing apparatus for manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing device 4 for printing the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent is a liquid ejecting device, but not limited thereto, and has a platform mechanism 40 and at least two groups of sprays. The print head assembly 41. The platform mechanism 40 can be a one-way displacement platform or a two-way displacement platform, and the at least two sets of print head assemblies 41 are mainly configured thereon and are relatively displaced to further perform the printing operation. For example, when the printed matter (ie, the conductive substrate 22) is carried on the platform mechanism 40, the at least two sets of the print head assemblies 41 are fixed to one axis of the platform mechanism 40, for example, Y in the vertical direction. The shaft is moved by the platform mechanism 40 on the other axis, for example, the horizontal X axis, to drive the conductive substrate 22 to be displaced on the X axis for printing, of course, if the platform mechanism 40 is bidirectional The displacement platform, the platform mechanism 40 relative to the at least two sets of print head assemblies 41, in addition to being displaceable on the X-axis, can also be displaced on the Y-axis, thus forming a page width (Page Width) printing system And can speed up the printing speed.

Referring to FIG. 4, as shown, each of the print head assemblies 41 of the printing apparatus 4 has a carrier 410, a printing unit 411, and a liquid supply unit 412, wherein the liquid supply unit 412 is connected. To the printing unit 411, the printing unit 411 is disposed on the carrier 410. The carrier 410 can be framed on the platform mechanism 40 to displace the printing head assembly 41 and the platform mechanism 40. In this embodiment, the printing unit 411 further includes a plurality of array nozzle holes (not shown) and a plurality of array liquid ejection actuators (not shown) disposed at the bottom of the printing unit 411. 411a, and each set of nozzle holes corresponds to a group of liquid ejecting actuators. When the liquid supply unit 412 supplies liquid to the printing unit 411, the liquid ejecting actuator can be controlled to further drive the printing unit 411. The liquid is ejected from the nozzle holes. In some embodiments, the liquid ejector actuator can be, but is not limited to, a thermal bubble heating element or a piezoelectric actuator element.

As an example, the liquid supply unit 412 is a separate liquid storage mechanism, and is connected to the printing unit 411 (or the carrier 410) through a liquid supply tube 413 to separate the independent The liquid stored in the liquid supply unit 412 is transferred to the printing unit 411 to perform a printing operation, thereby forming a continuous liquid supply system, and a large-capacity continuous printing operation can be achieved. However, in other embodiments, the liquid supply unit 412 may also be a storage container integrally formed with the bearing base 410, and the embodiment may be modified according to the actual application situation, and is not limited thereto. .

Of course, in the embodiment, the liquid systems contained in the printing unit 411 of the at least two sets of the printing head assemblies 41 are respectively the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent containing the titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles. Therefore, when the conductive substrate 22 is displaced relative to one of the print head assemblies 41, the water-soluble semiconductor solvent can be first printed, thereby forming a large area and a uniform thickness on the surface 220 of the conductive substrate 22. The semiconductor film 23 of the porous structure is thereafter displaced by the conductive substrate 22 of the semiconductor film 23 having the porous structure with respect to the other print head assembly 41 to accurately print the dye solvent to the aforementioned porosity. The semiconductor film 23 of the structure; wherein the water-soluble semiconductor solvent containing titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles and the dye solvent are printed on the surface 220 of the conductive substrate 22 to a thickness of between 0.1 um and 100 um, And not limited to this.

In addition, the printing device 4 of the present invention can be disposed through the nozzle holes on the printing unit 411 of the printing head assembly 41 or different aperture sizes to achieve different resolution of the conductive substrate 22. Print jobs. For example, the printing device 4 of the embodiment can adopt different resolution printing units 411 such as 300 dpi, 600 dpi and 1200 dpi, respectively, and can implement different droplet volume printing, wherein if a printing unit of 300 dpi is used, 411, the droplet volume printing operation of 36~84 pl (Pico Liter) can be achieved. If the printing unit 411 of 600 dpi is used, the droplet volume printing operation of 15~35 pl can be achieved, or 1200 dpi can be used. With the printing unit 411, it is possible to discharge a droplet volume printing operation of 15 pl or less. By means of the printing device 4, the water-soluble semiconductor solvent containing titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles and the dye solvent can be printed on the conductive substrate 22 in a large area, and the printing unit with different resolution can be used. 411, to carry out different droplet volume printing operations, thereby achieving different needs of the printing density and maintaining the excellent quality of its printing.

In summary, the printing device suitable for the dye-sensitized solar cell process of the present invention is a printing operation of a water-soluble semiconductor solvent containing titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) nanoparticles on a conductive substrate, thereby forming a porosity. The semiconductor film of the structure is further printed with the dye solvent on the semiconductor film of the porous structure, whereby the printing operation of the main electrode plate is performed in a large area and accurately. Therefore, in addition to precisely controlling the volume of the ink droplets of the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent, the printing device suitable for the dye-sensitized solar cell process can be flexibly adjusted according to the requirements of different products. The printed pattern is more applicable and beneficial to a small variety of products.

This case has been modified by people who are familiar with the technology, but it is not intended to be protected by the scope of the patent application.

1, 2‧‧‧Dye-sensitized solar cells

10‧‧‧Anode

11‧‧‧ cathode

12, 12', 22, 22'‧‧‧ conductive substrates

13, 23‧‧‧ semiconductor film

14‧‧‧Dye layer

15, 25‧‧‧ electrolytic layer

16, 26‧‧‧ Transparent conductive film

20‧‧‧Main electrode plate

21‧‧‧Negative electrode plate

220‧‧‧ surface

24‧‧‧Dyes

250‧‧‧ accommodating space

4‧‧‧Printing device

40‧‧‧ platform institutions

41‧‧‧Print head assembly

410‧‧‧ bearing seat

411‧‧‧Printing unit

411a‧‧‧ bottom

412‧‧‧liquid supply unit

413‧‧‧ Liquid supply pipe

S30~S37‧‧‧Dye-sensitized solar cell manufacturing process

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional dye-sensitized solar cell.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a dye-sensitized solar cell of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the manufacture of the dye-sensitized solar cell of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of a printing apparatus for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4‧‧‧Printing device

40‧‧‧ platform institutions

41‧‧‧Print head assembly

410‧‧‧ bearing seat

411‧‧‧Printing unit

411a‧‧‧ bottom

412‧‧‧liquid supply unit

413‧‧‧ Liquid supply pipe

Claims (12)

A printing device suitable for the process of a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising at least:
a platform mechanism for carrying a conductive substrate; and at least two sets of print head assemblies respectively accommodating a water-soluble semiconductor solvent and a dye solvent;
The platform mechanism carrying the conductive substrate is displaced relative to the at least two sets of print head assemblies, thereby printing the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent on a surface of one of the conductive substrates. Working, and the thickness of the water-soluble semiconductor solvent and the dye solvent printed on the surface of the conductive substrate is between 0.1 um and 100 um. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the platform mechanism is a one-way displacement platform on which the at least two sets of print head assemblies are framed, and the platform mechanism is relative to the at least two groups. The printhead assembly is displaced to perform a print job. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the platform mechanism is a two-way displacement platform on which the at least two sets of print head assemblies are constructed, and the platform mechanism is sprayed relative to the at least two groups. The print head assembly is displaced to perform a print job. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the at least two sets of printing head assemblies respectively comprise a carrier, a printing unit and a liquid supply unit, wherein the printing unit is disposed on the carrier And the liquid supply unit is connected to the printing unit. The printing device of claim 4, wherein the printing device can use the printing unit of one of different resolutions of 300 dpi, 600 dpi and 1200 dpi to perform different droplet volume printing operations. The printing device of claim 5, wherein the printing device is capable of discharging a droplet volume of 36 to 84 pl. The printing device of claim 5, wherein the printing device is capable of discharging a droplet volume of 15 to 35 pl. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus is capable of discharging a droplet volume printing operation of 15 pl or less. The printing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the printing unit further has a liquid discharge actuator, and the liquid discharge actuator is a thermal bubble type heating element. The printing device of claim 4, wherein the printing unit further has a liquid ejection actuator, and the liquid ejection actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. The printing device of claim 4, wherein the liquid supply unit is a storage container integrally formed with the carrier. The printing device of claim 4, wherein the liquid supply unit is connected to the printing unit by a liquid supply pipe to transfer the liquid stored in the independent liquid supply unit to the spray In the printing unit, a continuous liquid supply system is formed.