Tungsten Oxide Electrode Coating for Solar Cell Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar cells, such as silicon-based ones, face efficiency drops due to sudden weather changes, and dye-sensitized solar cells have limited power generation and storage capabilities due to insufficient mechanical strength and adhesion of titanium oxide porous bodies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tungsten oxide powder or composite with a BET surface area of 5 m2/g or more, coated with a metal oxide, silicon oxide, or metal nitride, and using a supporter like Y2O3 to enhance adhesion and reduce oxygen deficiency, thereby improving power generation and storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a two-layered structure with solid electricity storage layer is provided on titanium oxide layer, then electricity storage capability is improved, but power generation efficiency improvement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite electrode material consisting of tungsten oxide powder as the base material combined with a coating layer of metal oxide, silicon oxide, metal nitride, or silicon nitride. This composite structure provides both high electricity storage capability through the tungsten oxide's high BET surface area (5 m2/g or more) and improved power generation efficiency through the coating layer that reduces reverse electron transfer and enhances adhesion.
2Strength
If porous body made of titanium oxide is used, then adhesion between porous bodies is improved, but mechanical strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where tungsten oxide powder particles are coated with a layer of metal oxide, silicon oxide, metal nitride, or silicon nitride. The coating layer provides high hardness and improved mechanical strength, while the tungsten oxide base material maintains good adhesion between particles. The coating also serves as a barrier to reduce reverse electron transfer.
3Reliability
If coating unit with metal oxide or silicon oxide is provided on tungsten oxide powder, then adhesion and adsorbability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular parameter ranges for the coating process to balance performance improvement with manufacturing simplicity. The coating layer thickness is controlled to be 1 nm to 100 nm, and the BET surface area of tungsten oxide is maintained at 5 m2/g or more. These parameter specifications ensure good adhesion and adsorbability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple and scalable.
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 significantly enhances power generation efficiency and electricity storage capacity by increasing the contact area with sensitizing dye and electrolyte, reducing reverse electron transfer, and improving adhesion and adsorbability, as demonstrated by increased short-circuit current values and discharge capacities.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the contact area with sensitizing dye and electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
reducing reverse electron transfer
Implementation Method 3
improving adhesion and adsorbability
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electrode material for a battery includes a tungsten oxide powder or a tungsten oxide composite powder provided with a coating unit containing at least one selected from a metal oxide, silicon oxide, a metal nitride, and silicon nitride.