Electrolyte composition, photoelectric conversion element using the same, and dye-sensitized photovoltaic cell

• US 7,872,191 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2009
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Inventors: Tanabe, Nobuo, Usui, Hiroki, Yanagida, Shozo, Matsui, Hiroshi, Ezure, Tetsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Neckel; Alexa D
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARDNER, SHANNON M
• Application Number:
  US12/486,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20090253031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 136/243
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/04 mainly consisting of carbon-silicon compounds, carbon or silicon
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/122 Ionic conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2009 Solid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/2013 the electrolyte comprising ionic liquids, e.g. alkyl imidazolium iodide
• 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: H01M 14/005 Photoelectrochemical storage cells light sensitive devices H01G9/20, semiconductors sensitive to light H01L31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0091 in the form of mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/821 comprising carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/542 Dye sensitized solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/742 Carbon nanotubes, CNTs

Abstract

An electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and conductive particles, an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and oxide semiconductor particles and optionally containing conductive particles, and an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and insulating particles are provided. Furthermore, a photoelectric conversion element comprising: a working electrode, the working electrode comprising an electrode substrate and an oxide semiconductor porous film formed on the electrode substrate and sensitized with a dye; a counter electrode disposed opposing the working electrode; and an electrolyte layer made of these electrolyte compositions is provided.

Claims

1. A photoelectric conversion element, comprising:

a working electrode, the working electrode comprising an electrode substrate and an oxide semiconductor porous film formed on the electrode substrate and sensitized with a dye;

a counter electrode disposed opposing the working electrode; and

an electrolyte layer made of the electrolyte composition provided between the working electrode and the counter electrode, the electrolyte composition comprising an ionic liquid and insulating particles, wherein;

the insulating particles are at least one member selected from the group consisting of diamond and boron nitride;

the ionic liquid includes a cation; and

the electrolyte composition is in the form of a gel by the action of the cation and the insulating particles.

3. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a compounding amount of the insulating particles is no less than 0.05% by weight and no more than 70% by weight with respect to a total amount of the electrolyte composition.

4. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ionic liquid further includes an oxidation-reduction pair and an equilibrium potential of the oxidation-reduction pair in the electrolyte composition is shifted to a positive potential exceeding an equilibrium potential of the oxidation-reduction pair in the ionic liquid.

2. A dye-sensitized photovoltaic cell, comprising:

a working electrode, the working electrode comprising an electrode substrate and an oxide semiconductor porous film formed on the electrode substrate and sensitized with a dye;

a counter electrode disposed opposing the working electrode; and

an electrolyte layer made of the electrolyte composition provided between the working electrode and the counter electrode, the electrolyte composition comprising an ionic liquid and insulating particles, wherein;

the insulating particles are one member or a mixture of both members selected from the group consisting of diamond and boron nitride;

the ionic liquid includes a cation; and

the electrolyte composition is in the form of a gel by the action of the cation and the insulating particles.