Transparent Photoelectric Conversion Element Using SWCNTs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) face challenges in dissociating excitons at room temperature due to high binding energy, and existing photoelectric conversion materials like C60 fullerene absorb visible light, limiting their application in transmitting light through windows or other transparent surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A photoelectric conversion element is designed with semiconducting carbon nanotubes and a transparent material that functions as a donor or acceptor, featuring absorption peaks at specific wavelengths, allowing visible light to pass through while maintaining sensitivity in other wavelength ranges, such as near-infrared, by using semiconducting carbon nanotubes with uniform diameters and appropriate electron acceptor materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If C60 fullerene is used as electron acceptor material, then photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but visible light transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotoelectric conversion efficiencyVSAvoidvisible light transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electron acceptor function from C60 fullerene (which absorbs visible light) and transfers it to a different material that does not absorb visible light, thereby separating the photoelectric conversion function from visible light absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the electron acceptor material by selecting materials with appropriate energy gaps that do not overlap with visible light wavelengths, while maintaining the electron acceptor capability through proper LUMO level alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If semiconducting carbon nanotubes are used for photoelectric conversion, then near-infrared sensitivity is improved, but visible light transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenear-infrared sensitivityVSAvoidvisible light transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using semiconducting carbon nanotubes with specific chirality indices (n,m) that have absorption peaks in the near-infrared region, creating localized optical response in specific wavelength ranges while maintaining transparency in other ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite photoelectric conversion layer combining semiconducting carbon nanotubes with transparent electron acceptor materials, where each component contributes specific properties: nanotubes provide near-infrared sensitivity and the acceptor material provides electron acceptance without visible light absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enables a photoelectric conversion element that is transparent to visible light while maintaining sensitivity in specific wavelength ranges, enhancing optical transparency and photoelectric conversion efficiency, suitable for applications like imaging devices and solar cells.

Implementation Method 1

The semiconducting carbon nanotubes have light absorption characteristics including a first absorption peak at a first wavelength, a second absorption peak at a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength, and a third absorption peak at a third wavelength shorter than the second wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and containing semiconducting carbon nanotubes and a first material that functions as a donor or an acceptor for the semiconducting carbon nanotubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12101949B2Photoelectric conversion element, electronic device, and light-emitting device

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and containing semiconducting carbon nanotubes and a first material that functions as a donor or an acceptor for the semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The semiconducting carbon nanotubes have light absorption characteristics including a first absorption peak at a first wavelength, a second absorption peak at a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength, and a third absorption peak at a third wavelength shorter than the second wavelength. The first material is transparent to light in at least one wavelength range selected from the group consisting of a first wavelength range between the first wavelength and the second wavelength and a second wavelength range between the second wavelength and the third wavelength.