Photovoltaic cell

• US 20030201010A1
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JGC Catalysts and Chemicals Ltd. (JGC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Catalysts & Chemicals Industries Co. Ltd. (JGC Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Koyanagi, Tsuguo, Komatsu, Michio
• Granted Patent: US 6,849,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/263
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2009 Solid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2031 comprising titanium oxide, e.g. TiO2 H01G9/2036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2036 comprising mixed oxides, e.g. ZnO covered TiO2 particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/542 Dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

A photovoltaic cell includes a first substrate having on its surface a first electrode layer having on its surface a semiconductor film on which a photosensitizer is adsorbed, and a second substrate having on its surface a second electrode layer. The first and second substrates are arranged so that the first electrode layer overlaid with the semiconductor film and the second electrode layer are opposite each other with an electrolyte disposed therebetween. Spacer particles are interposed between the semiconductor film and the second electrode layer, and at least one of the electrode-layer-having substrates is transparent. A coating liquid for forming the semiconductor film includes both a component for forming the semiconductor film as well as the spacer particles, dispersed in a dispersion medium.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:

a first substrate having on its surface an electrode layer (1), said electrode layer (1) having on its surface a semiconductor film (2) on which a photosensitizer is adsorbed, and

a second substrate having on its surface an electrode layer (3),

said first substrate and said second substrate arranged so that the electrode layer (1) overlaid with the semiconductor film (2) and the electrode layer (3) are opposite to each other with an electrolyte sealed between the semiconductor film (2) and the electrode layer (3),

wherein spacer particles are interposed between the semiconductor film (2) and the electrode layer (3), and

wherein at least one of the electrode-layer-having substrates is transparent.

2. The photovoltaic cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein a surface of the semiconductor film (2) that is brought into contact with the spacer particles has a roughness (R_S) of 5 μ

m or less, and also a surface of the electrode layer (3) that is brought into contact with the spacer particles has a roughness (R_E) of 5 μ

m or less, and wherein the ratio of surface roughness (R_S) to average diameter of spacer particles (D), R_S/D, and the ratio of surface roughness (R_E) to average diameter of spacer particles (D), R_E/D, are both 0.2 or less.

3. The photovoltaic cell as claimed in any of claim 1, wherein the spacer particles are spherical particles having an average diameter (D) of 1 to 100 μ

m.

8. The photovoltaic cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semiconductor film is a film of metal oxide semiconductor.

4. A coating liquid for forming a semiconductor film for use in a photovoltaic cell, comprising a component for semiconductor film formation and spacer particles both dispersed in a dispersion medium.

5. The coating liquid as claimed in claim 4, which further comprises peroxotitanic acid as a binder component.

6. The coating liquid as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spacer particles are spherical particles having an average diameter of 1 to 100 μ

m.

7. The photovoltaic cell as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spacer particles are spherical particles having an average diameter (D) of 1 to 100 μ

m.