Hydrogel Electrolyte for Leak-Resistant Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dye-sensitized solar cells face challenges with electrolyte leakage and volatility, leading to decreased power generation efficiency and durability.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogel membrane is impregnated with iodide ions and used as an electrolyte, formed by dissolving a water-soluble polymer and a crosslinking agent in an aqueous solution, which is then injected between electrodes and solidified to create a dye-sensitized solar cell with high ionic conductivity and low leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid electrolyte is used in dye-sensitized solar cell, then high ionic conductivity and power generation efficiency are achieved, but electrolyte leakage and volatility occur leading to decreased durability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to hydrogel form. The hydrogel electrolyte comprises a gel matrix formed by crosslinking polymer chains that immobilize the ionic liquid, maintaining high ionic conductivity while preventing leakage and volatility. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between durability and electrolyte loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining organic polymer chains with ionic liquid. The polymer provides structural integrity and prevents leakage, while the ionic liquid maintains high ionic conductivity. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between durability and power generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If solid electrolyte is used to prevent leakage, then durability is improved, but ionic conductivity and power generation efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte leakageVSAvoidpower generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ionic liquid within the hydrogel structure, which maintains liquid-like ionic conductivity while being immobilized in a solid gel matrix. This allows the electrolyte to function as both solid (preventing leakage) and liquid (maintaining high ionic conductivity), resolving the contradiction between durability and power generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hydrogel membrane is impregnated with iodide ions to create electrolyte, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates iodide ions during the hydrogel formation process rather than as a separate step. The polymerization and crosslinking occur in the presence of iodide-containing monomers or additives, so the ionic conductivity is built into the structure from the beginning, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the high ionic conductivity requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The hydrogel electrolyte provides high ionic conductivity and power generation efficiency while minimizing leakage, enhancing surface adhesion, mechanical strength, and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

immersing the hydrogel membrane in an electrolyzing solution containing iodine or iodide such that the hydrogel membrane is impregnated with iodide ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

dissolving a water-soluble polymer and a crosslinking agent in an aqueous solution, which is then injected between electrodes and solidified to create a dye-sensitized solar cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 3

a photosensitive dye molecule that can absorb visible light to generate electron-hole pairs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

iodide ions can be oxidized to iodine to supplement the dye with electrons, and iodine can receive electrons, which have reached the counter electrode 20, and can be reduced back to iodide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS12494325B2Dye-sensitized solar cell and electrolyte thereof, and methods of manufacturing dye-sensitized solar cell and electrolyte

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 ACE INVENTER INC

AI summary

Provided is a method of manufacturing an electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells, the method including: preparing a hydrogel membrane; immersing the hydrogel membrane in an electrolyzing solution containing iodine or iodide such that the hydrogel membrane is impregnated with iodide ions; and drying the hydrogel membrane.