Tungsten Oxide Electrode Material for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dye-sensitized solar cells face challenges in achieving high levels of both power generation efficiency and electricity storage efficiency when using a two-layer laminated structure, which is inadequate for effective solar energy utilization, especially under varying solar insolation conditions.
Innovation Solution
The use of tungsten oxide powder with specific Raman spectroscopic characteristics, including peaks within certain wavenumber ranges, is employed as an electrode material, which is treated using plasma treatment and potentially followed by rapid cooling and heat treatment to enhance electricity storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a two-layer laminated structure (photoelectric conversion layer and solid electricity storage layer) is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electricity storage efficiency cannot be improved to a high level
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the photoelectric conversion function and electricity storage function into a single integrated layer by forming a tungsten oxide film that exhibits both photoelectric conversion characteristics and high electricity storage efficiency, eliminating the need for separate laminated layers while achieving both functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The tungsten oxide film serves multiple functions: it acts as both the photoelectric conversion layer and the electricity storage layer, providing dual functionality within a single component. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by achieving high electricity storage efficiency without increasing structural complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the solar cell is moved from outdoor to indoor location, then the adaptability is improved, but the amount of electrical generation drastically decreases due to reduced solar insolation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the photoelectric conversion layer from conventional materials to tungsten oxide, which possesses superior electricity storage efficiency. This parameter change enables the solar cell to maintain stable electrical generation performance across varying solar insolation conditions, whether outdoors or indoors
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a paste coating technique with tungsten oxide powder to create a cost-effective solution that achieves high electricity storage efficiency. The simple paste-based approach allows for easy fabrication while the tungsten oxide material provides enhanced performance under varying light conditions
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 approach results in a dye-sensitized solar cell and storage battery with improved electricity storage efficiency, capable of maintaining performance even under reduced solar insolation, and allows for efficient energy storage and generation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode material for batteries made from tungsten oxide powder... high in electricity storage efficiency
Implementation Method 2
a plasma treatment step of plasma-treating the metallic tungsten powder or the tungsten compound powder in an oxygen-containing ambient atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
the characteristics of which measured by a Raman spectroscopic analysis method are within a determinable range
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrode material for batteries made from tungsten oxide powder, wherein the tungsten oxide powder has a first peak present within a wavenumber range of 268 to 274 cm−1, a second peak present within a wavenumber range of 630 to 720 cm−1, and a third peak present within a wavenumber range of 800 to 810 cm−1, when a Raman spectroscopic analysis method is performed on the electrode material.