Nonvolatile Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dye sensitized solar cells face challenges in maintaining long-term stability and efficiency, especially in severe vehicle environments due to low boiling point electrolytes, which lead to reduced durability and ion mobility, and high viscosity electrolytes that compromise solar energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A nonvolatile ionic liquid-based electrolyte with a low viscosity liquid solvent (≤10 cp) is developed, adding 1-10 wt% of solvents like acetonitrile or 3-methoxypropionitrile to improve ion mobility and durability, while maintaining elevated boiling points (>300°C) and controlled vapor pressure for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a low boiling point electrolyte is used, then ion mobility and solar energy conversion efficiency are improved, but durability and long-term stability deteriorate in severe vehicle environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte by using ionic liquids with specifically controlled viscosity (≤10 cp) and boiling point (>300°C). This parameter optimization allows the electrolyte to maintain high ion mobility for efficient energy conversion while simultaneously providing exceptional thermal stability and durability in severe vehicle environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining ionic liquids with specific additives (1-10 wt% of co-solvents like acetonitrile or 3-methoxypropionitrile). This composite approach leverages the high thermal stability of ionic liquids while the added co-solvents进一步优化 ion mobility, achieving both high efficiency and long-term reliability.
2Reliability
If a high viscosity electrolyte is used, then durability is improved, but ion mobility and solar energy conversion efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the viscosity parameter of the electrolyte to be ≤10 cp, which is sufficiently low to ensure high ion mobility and efficient solar energy conversion, yet maintains adequate viscosity for operational stability and durability. This optimized viscosity parameter resolves the contradiction between durability and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific co-solvents (1-10 wt% of acetonitrile or 3-methoxypropionitrile) into the ionic liquid system to locally optimize the viscosity characteristics. These additives create a balanced electrolyte composition that maintains low viscosity for high ion mobility while preserving the overall structural integrity and durability of the electrolyte system.
3Temperature
If a nonvolatile ionic liquid is used, then boiling point and thermal stability are improved, but ion mobility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ionic liquid structure and composition to achieve a boiling point exceeding 300°C while maintaining viscosity ≤10 cp. This parameter optimization ensures that the electrolyte possesses both high thermal stability for durability and low viscosity for high ion mobility, effectively resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and ion transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines ionic liquids with specific co-solvents (1-10 wt% of acetonitrile or 3-methoxypropionitrile) to create a composite electrolyte system. The ionic liquid provides high boiling point and thermal stability, while the co-solvent components reduce viscosity and enhance ion mobility, achieving both high temperature stability and efficient ion transport.
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 electrolyte solution enhances durability and efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells, preventing module sealing breakage and maintaining performance in extreme vehicle conditions, with improved ion mobility and thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
improve ion mobility and durability, while maintaining elevated boiling points (>300°C) and controlled vapor pressure
Implementation Method 2
the dye absorbs energy of the light to generate an electron-hole pair, and the generated electron is injected into a conduction band of an oxide semiconductor
Implementation Method 3
high energy conversion efficiency
Implementation Method 4
the electron-hole generated in the dye receives electrons from the electrolyte which is capable of oxidizing and reducing and is reduced back, thereby restoring the dye sensitized solar cell
Implementation Method 5
maintaining elevated boiling points (>300°C) and controlled vapor pressure for enhanced performance
Implementation Method 6
improved thermal stability
Implementation Method 7
preventing module sealing breakage and maintaining performance in extreme vehicle conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a nonvolatile electrolyte and a method for manufacturing a dye sensitized solar cell using the nonvolatile electrolyte. In particular, the electrolyte may maintain stability during a durability test of a solar cell module. Moreover, sealing breakage of a module occurring in the related arts may be prevented, and ion mobility may be improved thereby improving efficiency.