Nanogel Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dye-sensitive solar cells using liquid electrolytes face issues with low stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency due to volatility and leakage at high temperatures, and solid electrolytes result in poor electron-ion transfer properties.
Innovation Solution
A nanogel electrolyte is developed by chemically bonding an imidazolium salt to nanoparticles, such as nano silica, and mixing it with an ionic liquid electrolyte, which enhances stability and efficiency by reducing the need for high concentrations of expensive ionic liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If liquid electrolyte is used in dye-sensitive solar cell, then photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but long-term stability deteriorates due to volatility and leakage at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining ionic liquid electrolyte and nanogel electrolyte. The ionic liquid provides high ion conductivity for efficient photoelectric conversion, while the nanogel component (crosslinked polymer network with nanoparticles) provides structural stability and prevents volatility. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanogel electrolyte forms a gel matrix that acts as a flexible containment structure for the ionic liquid. The crosslinked polymer network creates a three-dimensional gel structure that physically restricts the ionic liquid, preventing its volatility and leakage while maintaining ion transport pathways for efficient photoelectric conversion.
2Reliability
If inorganic solid electrolyte or polymer solid electrolyte is used, then long-term stability is improved, but electron-ion transfer properties deteriorate resulting in decreased photoelectric conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from solid (inorganic or polymer) to gel state. The nanogel electrolyte maintains the structural stability of solid electrolytes while incorporating ionic liquid components that provide liquid-like ion mobility. This parameter change enables both high long-term stability and excellent electron-ion transfer properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite nanogel electrolyte combines crosslinked polymer network (providing solid-like stability) with ionic liquid (providing liquid-like ion conductivity). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the stabilizing effect of solid electrolytes with the superior charge transfer properties of liquid electrolytes.
3Reliability
If gel electrolyte is prepared by mixing nano silica material and liquid electrolyte, then stability is improved, but affinity between nano silica and liquid electrolyte is low causing easy volatilization at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple physical mixing with a crosslinked gel network structure that forms a flexible containment matrix. The crosslinked polymer chains create a three-dimensional network that physically entraps the ionic liquid, forming a gel structure that prevents volatilization while maintaining stability. This gel matrix acts as a flexible shell that confines the liquid electrolyte components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing approach (physical blending of nano silica and liquid electrolyte) with a chemical crosslinking approach. The crosslinking reaction creates covalent bonds forming a stable gel network that chemically binds the ionic liquid components, replacing weak physical interactions with strong chemical bonds that prevent high-temperature volatilization.
4Power
If ionic liquid electrolyte concentration is increased to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency, then efficiency is improved, but production cost increases due to high expense of ionic liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The nanogel electrolyte structure provides self-contained ion transport pathways through its crosslinked gel network. The gel matrix itself creates conductive channels that facilitate ion movement, reducing the dependence on high concentrations of expensive ionic liquid additives. The structure serves its own function of enabling ion transport, allowing lower ionic liquid concentrations while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrolyte from a liquid state requiring high ionic liquid concentrations to a gel state where the crosslinked network provides structural integrity and ion transport pathways. This parameter change (from liquid to gel) enables efficient ion transport at lower ionic liquid concentrations, reducing production costs while maintaining photoelectric conversion efficiency.
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 nanogel electrolyte improves long-term stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitive solar cells while reducing production costs and enabling mass production through a simpler manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a nanoparticle to which an imidazolium salt represented by the formula 1 is chemically bound
Data Source
AI summary
A nanoparticle to which an imidazolium salt is chemically bonded, a method of preparing the same, and a nanogel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells comprising the same are disclosed. The present invention may provide a dye-sensitive solar cell with good economic feasibility, stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency using the nanogel electrolyte, wherein the nanogel electrolyte may reduce the concentration of ionic liquids and preparation costs while improving economic feasibility, long term stability, and photoelectric conversion efficiency.