Electrochemical cell structure and method of fabrication

• US 20070201187A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 8,158,879 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/503
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1506 caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/04 dye
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/36 Micro- or nanomaterials
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2027 comprising an oxide semiconductor electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2031 comprising titanium oxide, e.g. TiO2 H01G9/2036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2059 comprising an organic dye as the active light absorbing material, e.g. adsorbed on an electrode or dissolved in solution
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2081 Serial interconnection of cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/022425 for solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/022466 made of transparent conductive layers, e.g. TCO, ITO layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02366 of the substrate or of a layer on the substrate, e.g. textured ITO/glass substrate or superstrate, textured polymer layer on glass substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/135 using ink-jet printing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/542 Dye sensitized solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

An electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The electrochemical cell comprising: 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, and wherein the metal oxide layer is formed from a metal oxide particle dispersion liquid.

Claims

1. 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 oxide cells, spaced from one another;

a functional dye layer formed on the metal oxide layer;

a second conductive layer; and

an electrolyte formed between the functional dye layer and the second conductive layer,

at least one of the first and second conductive layers being transparent, and

the metal oxide layer being formed from a metal oxide particle dispersion liquid.

2. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particle dispersion liquid includes water.

3. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particle dispersion liquid includes an alcohol.

4. The electrochemical cell according to claim 2, wherein the metal oxide particle dispersion liquid includes a plurality of metal oxide particles having a diameter of between substantially 5 nm to 500 nm.

5. The electrochemical cell according to claim 4, wherein the metal oxide particles have a diameter of substantially 18 nm.

6. The electrochemical cell according to claim 2, wherein the metal oxide particle dispersion liquid further includes a viscosity modifier.

7. The electrochemical cell according to claim 6, wherein the viscosity modifier is polyethylene glycol or polyethylene oxide.

8. The electrochemical cell according to claim 6, wherein the viscosity modifier has a concentration less than 5% w/w.

9. The electrochemical cell according to claim 2, wherein the metal oxide particle dispersion liquid further includes a binder.

10. The electrochemical cell according to claim 9, wherein the binder is polyethylene glycol or polyethylene oxide.

11. The electrochemical cell according to claim 9, wherein the binder has a concentration less than 5% w/w.

12. The electrochemical cell according to claim 2, wherein the metal oxide particle dispersion liquid further includes a surfactant to adjust surface tension.

13. The electrochemical cell according to claim 12, wherein the surfactant is Triton-X.

14. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, further comprising:

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

15. The electrochemical cell according to claim 14, wherein the separating means is a polymer pattern.

16. The electrochemical cell according to claim 14, wherein the separating means is a polyimide pattern.

17. The electrochemical cell according to claim 14, wherein at least part of the separating means is hydro- and/or oleophobic and wherein the first conductive layer is hydro- and/or oleophilic.

18-47. -47. (canceled)