Method of preparing a photovoltaic device

• US 6,013,871 A
• Filed: 03/05/1998
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence F. Curtin
• Original Assignee: Lawrence F. Curtin
• Inventors: Curtin, Lawrence F.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/035,002
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/251, 136/256, 136/261, 136/263, 257/433, 257/457, 257/40, 438/66, 438/67, 438/64, 438/82, 438/85
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2031 comprising titanium oxide, e.g. TiO2 H01G9/2036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2068 Panels or arrays of photoelectrochemical cells, e.g. photovoltaic modules based on photoelectrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• 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

Abstract

A method of creating a photovoltaic device for the conversion of light to electrical current comprises the steps of: (a) providing a layer of glue on a substrate; (b) laying down one or more elements of silicon doped with varying amounts of boron and phosphorous on the glue; (c) applying electro-conductive paint and/or metal strips between the silicon elements, wherein the electro-conductive paint includes materials such as nickel, silver, copper, etc.; (d) applying electro-conductive paint and/or metal strips to form two final electrical connectors to the photovoltaic device; (e) sealing the device from air and moisture with coating of clear acrylic lacquer or other material. An alternative method comprises the steps of (a) providing a substrate capable of supporting multiple layers of paint and ink; (b) forming an electro-conductive layer on the substrate; (c) forming a layer of platinum catalyst ink or other material on the electro-conductive layer; (d) forming a layer of electrolyte and reduced oxidized couple on the platinum catalyst ink or other material layer; (e) forming a layer of titanium dioxide that has been doped with ruthenium or gallium or other material, on the electrolyte and reduced oxidized couple layer; (f) forming a transparent, electrically conductive layer of tin oxide on the titanium dioxide layer; and (g) sealing the cell with a coating of clear acrylic lacquer or other material.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a photovoltaic device, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a substrate capable of supporting multiple layers of paint and ink for a photovoltaic device;

(b) forming an electrically conductive paint layer of electro-conductive material on the substrate;

(c) forming a layer of platinum catalyst ink on said electrically conductive paint layer;

(d) forming a layer of electrolyte and reduced oxidized couple on said platinum catalyst ink layer;

(e) forming a layer of titanium dioxide that has been dye doped with ruthenium or gallium, or other dye on said electrolyte and reduced oxidized couple layer;

(f) forming a transparent, electrically conductive layer of tin oxide on said titanium dioxide layer; and

(h) sealing the device with a layer of clear acrylic lacquer or other material.

2. A method for preparing a photovoltaic device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of concrete, wood, treated metal, road pavement, roofing material, and plastic.

3. A method for preparing a photovoltaic device according to claim 1, wherein the electrally conductive paint layer contains nickel, silver, copper, or mixtures thereof.

4. The method for preparing a photovoltaic device according to claim 1, wherein steps (c), (d), and (e) are formed by means of a screen painting technique.

5. A photovoltaic device comprising a plurity of elements of silicon doped with varying amounts of boron or phosphorous glued using methyl ethylketone to a substrate and electrically interconnected with electro-conductive paint or metal strips or both, wherein the photovoltaic device includes two final electrical connectors formed by electro-conductive paint or metal strips or both to the photovoltaic device, and wherein the photovoltaic device is sealed from air and moisture with a coating of clear acrylic lacquer or other material.

6. A photovoltaic device according to claim 5, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of concrete, wood, treated metal, road pavement, roofing material, and plastic.

7. A photovoltaic device according to claim 5, wherein the electro-conductive paint contains nickel, silver, copper, or mixtures thereof.

8. A photovoltaic device according to claim 5, wherein the metal strips are formed of silver.

9. A photovoltaic device according to claim 5, wherein the metal strips are formed of copper.

10. A photovoltaic device according to claim 5, wherein the metal strips are formed of nickel.