Porous Titanium Electrode Interface With Oxide-Resistant Contact Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of photovoltaic devices is hindered by poor electrical contact between porous conductive layers and conductors due to the corrosive nature of the electrolyte and the insulating oxide layers formed on the conductive materials, which increase electrical resistance and reduce conductivity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating second conducting particles made of materials that resist oxide formation, such as carbon, metal silicide, or metal nitride, into the porous conductive layers, which form conducting junctions with titanium particles during sintering, creating a network for improved electrical contact through the adhering layers without forming insulating oxide layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If porous conductive layers made of titanium are used to extract photo-generated electrons, then the conductive layer provides good electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, but an insulating oxide layer forms on the surface which increases electrical resistance and reduces contact quality with conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining titanium particles with carbon particles in the porous conductive layer. The titanium provides corrosion resistance while the carbon particles resist oxide formation and maintain electrical conductivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties to simultaneously achieve both corrosion resistance and good electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different material compositions within the porous conductive layer. Specifically, carbon particles are distributed throughout the titanium matrix to provide localized areas that resist oxide formation and enhance electrical contact, while the titanium matrix maintains overall structural integrity and corrosion resistance.
2Area of stationary object
If the porous conductive layer surface is made rough with cavities to increase surface area, then the surface area for electron extraction is increased, but achieving good mechanical and electrical contact with conductors becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon particles embedded in the porous structure provide conductive pathways that bridge the cavities and surface irregularities. This allows the rough surface to maintain high surface area while the carbon network ensures continuous electrical contact with overlying conductors, resolving the contradiction between surface area and contact quality.
3Strength
If adhering layers are applied to attach conductors to the porous conductive layer, then mechanical attachment is achieved, but the insulating oxide layer on the titanium particles increases electrical resistance at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The porous conductive layer combines titanium and carbon particles where the carbon particles serve dual functions: maintaining electrical conductivity by resisting oxide formation and providing conductive pathways through the adhering layer to the conductor, while the titanium matrix provides mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon particles act as intermediaries between the titanium porous conductive layer and the external conductors. They facilitate electrical contact by providing conductive pathways through the adhering layer, bridging the gap created by the insulating oxide on the titanium surface.
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
This solution enhances the electrical conductivity between the conductive layers and adhering layers, reducing electrical resistance and improving the overall efficiency of the photovoltaic device by maintaining low oxide layer thickness on the second conducting particles, thus facilitating better power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the titanium particles and the second conducting particles are sintered together so that conducting junctions are formed between the titanium particles and the second conducting particles
Implementation Method 2
a conducting medium for transferring charges between the counter electrode and the working electrode
Implementation Method 3
Photovoltaic devices provide conversion of light into electricity
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a photovoltaic device comprising a porous conductive layer 4 comprising titanium particles 5 made of titanium or an alloy thereof, a conductor device in electrical contact with the porous conductive layer, and an adhering layer 12 arranged between the porous conductive layer 4 and the conductor device 10. The adhering layer 12 comprises an adhesive 14 and first conducting particles 16 distributed in the adhesive. At least a portion of the porous conductive layer 4 comprises second conducting particles 18 distributed among the titanium particles 5. The second conducting particles 18 are made of a conducting material that substantially resists formation of an electrically insulating oxide layer on its surface upon oxidation. The titanium particles 5 and the second conducting particles 18 are sintered together so that conducting junctions 20 are formed between the titanium particles 5 and the second conducting particles 18, and the first conducting particles 16 in the adhering layer 12 is in electrical contact with the second conducting particles 18.