Electrochemical cell structure and method of fabrication

• US 20070122931A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Ishida, Masaya, McGregor, Barry, Shimoda, Tatsuya
• Granted Patent: US 7,952,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 438/57
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2031 comprising titanium oxide, e.g. TiO2 H01G9/2036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2081 Serial interconnection of cells
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/13 using printing techniques, e.g. ink-jet printing or screen printing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/542 Dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

An electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The electrochemical cell comprises a first conductive layer; a metal oxide layer formed on the first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer comprising a plurality of adjacent metal oxide cells, spaced from one another; a functional dye layer formed on the metal oxide layer; a second conductive layer; and an electrolyte between the functional dye layer and the second conductive layer; wherein at least one of the first and second conductive layers is transparent. In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell further comprises separating means formed on the first conductive layer and surrounding each of the plurality of adjacent metal oxide cells.

Claims

1-34. -34. (canceled)

35. An electrochemical cell comprising:

a first conductive layer;

a metal oxide layer formed on the first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer including a plurality of metal oxide cells, each of the plurality of metal oxide cells being spaced from one another;

a functional dye layer formed on the metal oxide layer;

a second conductive layer; and

an electrolyte between the functional dye layer and the second conductive layer.

36. The electrochemical cell according to claim 35, further comprising:

separating means formed on the first conductive layer and surrounding each of the plurality of metal oxide cells.

37. The electrochemical cell according to claim 36, wherein the separating means is a polymer pattern.

38. The electrochemical cell according to claim 36, wherein the separating means is a polyimide pattern.

39. The electrochemical cell according to claim 36, wherein at least part of the separating means is hydro- and/or oleophobic and wherein the first conductive layer is hydro- and/or oleophilic.

40. The electrochemical cell according to claim 36, wherein the separating means forms a matrix of cells on the first conductive layer.

41. The electrochemical cell according to claim 40, wherein each of the metal oxide cells is substantially square shaped.

42. The electrochemical cell according to claim 40, wherein each of the metal oxide cells is substantially circular shaped.

43. The electrochemical cell according to claim 40, wherein each of the metal oxide cells is substantially hexagonal shaped.

44. The electrochemical cell according to claim 40, wherein each of the metal oxide cells is substantially rectangular shaped.

45. The electrochemical cell according to claim 36, wherein the separating means are banks.

46. The electrochemical cell according to claim 35, further comprising:

an electrocatalytic layer between the electrolyte and the second conductive layer.

47. The electrochemical cell according to claim 46, wherein the electrocatalytic layer is any one of platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium or osmium.

48. The electrochemical cell according to claim 35, further comprising:

a first insulating substrate on a side of the first conductive layer opposite to the metal oxide layer.

49. The electrochemical cell according to claim 48, further comprising:

a second insulating substrate on a side of the second conductive layer opposite to the electrolyte.

50. The electrochemical cell according to claim 48, wherein at least one of the first and second insulating substrates is glass.

51. The electrochemical cell according to claim 48, wherein at least one of the first and second insulating substrates is plastic.

52. The electrochemical cell according to claim 35, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is transparent.