Metal Complex Dye for Uniform Solar Cell Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dye-sensitized solar cells exhibit significant deviations in photoelectric conversion efficiency, particularly in low-illumination environments, due to variations in metal complex dye absorption and interaction with semiconductor particles.

Innovation Solution

A photoelectric conversion element and dye-sensitized solar cell design incorporating a metal complex dye with a bipyridine ligand and isothiocyanate groups, combined with a specific monodentate ligand, is used to stabilize and enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency by reducing dye aggregation and improving surface coating uniformity on semiconductor particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal complex dyes are used in dye-sensitized solar cells, then photoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved, but significant deviations in efficiency occur particularly in low-illumination environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotoelectric conversion efficiencyVSAvoidefficiency deviation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure of metal complex dyes by changing ligand types (using carboxylic acid ligands instead of isocyanide ligands), substituent positions, and metal center compositions. These parameter changes in dye chemistry result in reduced aggregation and more consistent photoelectric conversion efficiency across different illumination conditions, directly addressing the reliability-stability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional metal complex dyes are used, then high molar light absorption coefficient is achieved, but dye aggregation occurs leading to efficiency deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight absorption coefficientVSAvoiddye aggregation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces specific local chemical modifications to the dye molecules, such as placing particular substituents at specific positions on the ligand framework and using carboxylic acid groups for semiconductor binding. These localized structural changes prevent aggregation while preserving high light absorption coefficients, resolving the contradiction between energy utilization and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If dye is coated on semiconductor particles, then photoelectric conversion is enabled, but non-uniform coating leads to efficiency deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotoelectric conversionVSAvoidcoating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the dye molecules by using carboxylic acid ligands that form more uniform and stable coatings on semiconductor particle surfaces. This parameter change in molecular structure leads to improved coating uniformity and reduced efficiency deviation, directly addressing the reliability-manufacturing precision contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 proposed solution reduces deviations in photoelectric conversion efficiency and enhances overall efficiency, even in low-illumination conditions, by ensuring uniform dye distribution and reduced leakage currents, thereby improving the open-circuit voltage and stability of the solar cell.

Implementation Method 1

photoelectric conversion efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

molar light absorption coefficient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

dye distribution on semiconductor particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3352185B1Photoelectric conversion element, dye-sensitized solar cell, dye composition, and oxide semiconductor electrode

Publication Date: 2021.10.27 FUJIFILM CORP

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Provided are a photoelectric conversion element including an electrically conductive support, a photoconductor layer, a charge transfer layer, and a counter electrode, in which the photoconductor layer has semiconductor fine particles carrying a metal complex dye represented by Formula (1), and at least one of metal complex dyes represented by Formulae (2) and (3), a dye-sensitized solar cell, a dye composition, and an oxide semiconductor electrode. In the formulae, M represents a metal ion. Ar11 to Ar14 each represent an aryl group or the like. L1 and L2 each represent an ethenylene group or the like. R11 to R14 each represent an alkyl group or the like. n11 and n12 each represent an integer of 0 to 3, and n13 and n14 each represent an integer of 0 to 4. X represents -NCS or -SCN. M1 and M2 each represent a proton, a metal cation, or a non-metal cation.