JP2007328960A - Dye-sensitized solar cell and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dye-sensitized solar cell capable of keeping non-short-circuited state between positive and negative electrodes even when they are bent, while ensuring superior productivity and photoelectric conversion efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: A planar-formed positive electrode-side substrate 2, a positive electrode 21, an electrolyte solution 4, a metal oxide 34, a transparent electrode 33, an auxiliary electrode 32, a negative electrode 31, bulkheads 30, and a negative electrode-side substrate 3, are configured to be layered in such an order. The bulkheads 30 are connected at a predetermined interval between the positive electrode-side substrate 2 and negative electrode-side substrate 3 for partitioning the electrolyte solution 4 into many cells. The bulkheads 30 are arranged in line in the direction parallel to the planar face of a dye-sensitized solar cell 1, wherein the bulkheads 30 are formed in such a pattern that a wide portion 35 with larger interval width and a narrow portion 37 with smaller interval width are alternately repeated. Injection of the electrolyte solution 4 is carried out through the holes opened for each region formed with the bulkheads 30 at the end of the positive electrode-side substrate 2 located at the end of the dye-sensitized solar cell 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure and manufacturing method of a dye-sensitized solar cell.

  The dye-sensitized solar cell announced by Gretzell et al. Has attracted attention as an alternative to conventional pn-type solar cells because it is thin, flexible, and can be easily manufactured at low cost. In the dye-sensitized solar cell, generally, a particle film layer of an oxide paste and an electrolyte layer are sealed between transparent electrodes respectively provided on two transparent plates. In the dye-sensitized solar cell, the valence electrons of the dye are excited by light such as sunlight and flow to the transparent electrode through the metal oxide semiconductor (generally titanium dioxide), and the holes remaining in the dye are electrolytes. The solution is oxidized, and the oxidized electrolyte solution undergoes photoelectric conversion by receiving electrons from the connected counter electrode through a transparent electrode and a load and being reduced.

  Dye-sensitized solar cells are difficult to handle the electrolyte to be injected, and when a little external force is applied due to the fluidity of this electrolyte, the negative electrode and the positive electrode sandwiching this electrolyte can easily be short-circuited or damaged. There are many problems in putting it into practical use, such as leakage, and various proposals have been made (see Patent Documents 1 to 4).

Patent Document 1 discloses a strip-shaped dye-sensitized solar cell. In addition, products that are arranged side by side have been developed (prototypes from Pexel Technologies Inc.). Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration that prevents the working electrode and the counter electrode from being short-circuited by supporting a working electrode and an electrolytic solution placed between the counter electrode with a porous semiconductor film. Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration for quasi-solidifying an electrolyte solution. Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration of a spacer for isolating the negative electrode and the positive electrode and sealing the electrolyte.
JP 2006-49082 A JP-A-2005-268107 JP 2006-32308 A JP 2006-19072 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, it has been difficult to configure a dye-sensitized solar cell that has flexibility (can be bent) while maintaining photoelectric conversion efficiency and productivity.

For example, in a dye-sensitized solar cell configured in a strip shape, such as Patent Document 1, it can be bent in the minor axis direction of the strip due to a gap between the strips. There was a risk that the negative electrode would short circuit.
In the configuration of Patent Document 2, when the penetration of the electrolytic solution into the porous membrane is not sufficient, the photoelectric conversion efficiency may be reduced. In addition, with this configuration, there is a problem that it takes time to sufficiently penetrate and the production efficiency is not good.
Moreover, in the structure of patent document 3, in a solid state, it is inferior to a liquid state in terms of the property (electron mobility) of electrolyte, and the permeability with respect to a porous metal oxide semiconductor, As a result, the problem which photoelectric conversion efficiency falls was there.
Patent Document 4 does not disclose a configuration in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are not short-circuited when the dye-sensitized solar cell is bent.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell that can be held so as not to be short-circuited between the positive electrode and the negative electrode even when bent, has high productivity, and has high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

(1) The present invention
In a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a flexible positive electrode substrate formed in a plane, a positive electrode, an electrolyte, a negative electrode including a metal oxide semiconductor, and a flexible negative electrode substrate are layered in this order. ,
In the dye-sensitized solar cell, an insulating partition is provided between the positive electrode substrate and the negative electrode substrate so as to partition a region between the positive electrode substrate and the negative electrode substrate.

  In this invention, even if the positive electrode substrate and the negative electrode substrate having flexibility are bent, the partition provided between the positive electrode substrate and the negative electrode substrate holds the gap between the positive electrode substrate and the negative electrode substrate. The short circuit between the negative electrode and the positive electrode can be prevented without forming a closed region in cell units and connecting them as in the prior art. As a result, it is possible to prevent the photoelectric conversion efficiency from deteriorating in the bent state. In addition, since a short circuit between the negative electrode and the positive electrode can be prevented in this way, it is possible to manufacture a large area at a time instead of configuring and joining the cell-like ones, so that productivity can be improved. it can.

  Further, in the present invention, since the metal oxide semiconductor can be applied to the portion having no partition wall, the portion that does not generate power within the same module area as compared with the strip-shaped dye-sensitized solar cell. Can be reduced. Therefore, the electromotive force in the same area can be improved as compared with the strip-shaped one. Furthermore, since each region separated by the partition forms a pseudo closed space, even if a part of the dye-sensitized solar cell is damaged, the leakage of the electrolyte solution can be reduced in other regions. it can.

(2) The present invention
In a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a flexible positive electrode substrate formed in a plane, a positive electrode, an electrolyte, a negative electrode including a metal oxide semiconductor, and a flexible negative electrode substrate are layered in this order. ,
In the dye-sensitized solar cell, an insulating partition is provided between the positive electrode and the metal oxide semiconductor so as to partition a region between the positive electrode and the metal oxide semiconductor.

  This invention also has the effect described in (1). In the present invention, the metal oxide semiconductor is coated on the negative electrode when an external force is applied to the dye-sensitized solar cell because the metal oxide semiconductor is configured to cover the metal oxide semiconductor. Can be prevented from peeling off.

(3) The present invention
The partition walls are arranged side by side,
The partition wall is characterized in that a wide portion having a wide interval and a narrow portion having a narrow width are alternately and repeatedly formed.

In the present invention, since the partition wall is provided so that the wide part having a wide interval and the narrow part having a narrow width are alternately formed, in a local region surrounded by the wide part, Even if the positive electrode side substrate and the negative electrode side substrate are bent in any direction, the partition can hold the positive electrode and the negative electrode at a predetermined interval. Since the wide part and the narrow part are continuous, the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be held at a predetermined interval at any position of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
In addition, since the positive electrode and the negative electrode are separated from each other in this way, the substrate area may be increased in order to increase the module area, and in a matrix form (two directions in the plane) in units of cells as in the past. There is no need to connect them together. In the present invention, if the electrolytic solution is injected into each region formed by the partition walls, the electrolytic solution can be injected at a time, and therefore it can be easily manufactured.
Furthermore, since a plurality of partition walls are arranged side by side, each region separated by the partition walls forms a pseudo closed space, so even when a part of the dye-sensitized solar cell is damaged, Electrolyte leakage can be reduced.

(4) The present invention
The partition wall is provided so as to have a wave-like smooth curve.

  In the present invention, since the partition walls are connected by a wave-like smooth curve, even if there are a wide part and a narrow part, there are few steps between the wide part and the narrow part, When injecting, the electrolyte can be distributed evenly without any delay.

(5) The present invention
The partition wall is characterized in that the cross section is formed in a letter “V” shape or a shape in which both sides of the cross section bulge out.

  In the present invention, the cross section is formed in a “V” shape or a shape in which both sides of the cross section bulge out, so that the load is compressed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the positive side substrate and the negative side substrate. Strength can be improved.

(6) The present invention
The partition wall is made of an adhesive resin.

  In this invention, since the partition walls are made of an adhesive resin, the adhesion is improved when the positive electrode side substrate and the negative electrode side substrate are bonded to each other with the partition walls, thereby improving weather resistance.

(7) The present invention
A dye-sensitized solar cell in which a flexible positive electrode side substrate formed in a plane, a positive electrode, an electrolyte, a negative electrode including a metal oxide semiconductor, and a flexible negative electrode side substrate are layered in this order. In the manufacturing method,
Producing a first component having the positive electrode formed on the positive substrate;
Producing a second component having the negative electrode formed on the negative substrate;
For either the first component or the second component, a plurality of insulating partition walls are formed side by side to connect the positive electrode and the negative electrode to partition the electrolyte into a plurality of long-axis regions. A partition formation step;
A bonding step of bonding the first component and the second component after the partition formation step;
A method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising: injecting an electrolytic solution into each region formed by the partition walls with respect to those bonded in the bonding step.

  In the present invention, since a plurality of partition walls are formed side by side in the partition wall forming step, it is not necessary to form and connect a closed space for each cell. In addition, since the present invention performs a step of injecting an electrolyte solution for each region formed by the partition walls with respect to the dye-sensitized solar cell bonded in the bonding step, as in the conventional case, a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode Therefore, it is not necessary to connect them in a matrix form in units of small cells. By injecting the electrolytic solution into each long-axis region formed by the partition walls, the electrolytic solution can be injected at a time for each column, so that the electrolytic solution can be easily injected into a large area, and the dye-sensitized solar cell Manufacturing can be facilitated.

  According to this invention, even if the positive electrode side substrate and the negative electrode side substrate are bent, it is possible to prevent the positive electrode and the negative electrode from being short-circuited by the partition walls, and thus it is possible to prevent the photoelectric conversion efficiency from being deteriorated. Moreover, since it is not necessary to connect cells, it can be manufactured easily. Furthermore, since a metal oxide semiconductor can be applied to portions other than the partition walls, a region where no power is generated can be minimized while preventing a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and electromotive force per unit area is improved. be able to.

  The configuration of the dye-sensitized solar cell according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is a plan view of a dye-sensitized solar cell 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as “battery 1”), and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. For ease of illustration, FIG. 1 (A) shows the translucent positive electrode 21 in a transparent manner, and FIG. 1 (B) shows an enlarged view in the thickness direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a battery 1 includes a positive electrode substrate 2, a positive electrode 21 formed on the positive electrode substrate 2, and an insulator formed between the positive electrode substrate 2 and the negative electrode substrate 3. Partition wall 30 (partition wall 301, partition wall 302). Moreover, the negative electrode 31 (it has the auxiliary electrode 32 (the auxiliary electrode 321 and the auxiliary electrode 322), the transparent electrode 33, and the metal oxide 34) shown in FIG.

The positive electrode side substrate 2 is composed of a flexible transparent plate. For example, it can be composed of a plastic film such as PET or PEN.
The positive electrode 21 is formed by depositing platinum (hereinafter referred to as “pt”) on the positive electrode side substrate 2.

  The negative electrode side substrate 3 is made of the same material as the positive electrode side substrate 2. However, since the battery 1 generates power by applying light to the negative electrode side, the negative electrode side substrate 3 needs to be transparent. Since the substrates 2 and 3 have flexibility, the battery 1 can be bent in accordance with the mounting surface.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the partition wall 30 prevents a short circuit between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode. As shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of partition walls 30 are arranged in a row in the x direction with a partition wall 301 and a partition wall 302 undulated in a wave shape as one unit. Hereinafter, the partition walls 301 and 302 are collectively referred to as the partition wall 30.

  The partition wall 30 is an insulator for insulating the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 31. As the material of the partition wall 30, for example, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a vinyl chloride alcohol type, a hot melt adhesive such as polyurethane, or the like can be used. Moreover, as a material of the partition wall 30 (the same applies to 30A to F in embodiments described later), it is more preferable that the material is transparent, but the partition wall 30 viewed from the plan view of FIG. If the width of is narrow, there is no problem.

  In addition, the partition wall 30 is continuous with the partition wall 301 and the partition wall 302 configured by a wave-like smooth curve as described above as one unit. Thereby, the wide part 35 which is a wide area | region of the partition 301 and the partition 302, and the narrow part 37 which is a narrow area | region are alternately formed continuously. Further, between the partition wall 302 and the adjacent partition wall 303, a narrow portion 38 region is formed next to the wide portion 35, and a wide portion 39 is formed next to the narrow portion 37.

  Since the partition wall 30 holds between the positive electrode side substrate 2 and the negative electrode side substrate 3, when the battery 1 is bent, the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 31 are prevented from being short-circuited, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency is deteriorated. Can be prevented. In addition, since the partition wall 30 is formed in a wave shape, when the partition wall 30 is bent in the x direction (left and right direction on the paper surface), a portion 3011x near the boundary between the wide portion 35 and the narrow portion 37 of the partition wall 30. , 3012x, 3021x, 3022x. Further, when bent in the y direction (up and down direction of the paper surface), the portions 301y and 302y of the partition wall 30 of the wide portion 35 are supported. Therefore, the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 31 can be held even when bent in either the x or y direction, and a short circuit between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 31 can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the negative electrode 31 includes an auxiliary electrode 32, a transparent electrode 33, and a metal oxide 34, and is formed on the negative electrode side substrate 3 in this order.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the auxiliary electrode 32 has auxiliary electrodes of the same shape such as the auxiliary electrode 321 and the auxiliary electrode 322 arranged side by side. Hereinafter, these auxiliary electrodes 321 and the like are collectively referred to as auxiliary electrodes 32. The auxiliary electrode 32 is a rod-like electrode obtained by evaporating pt, for example. The auxiliary electrode 32 is provided in order to reduce the electric resistance of the transparent electrode 33 that is a part of the negative electrode. This can reduce the loss, and the electric power generated by the electrolyte 4 can be conducted to the auxiliary electrode 32 as much as possible. Let As shown in FIG. 1A, when the transparent electrodes 33 are separated from each other, the auxiliary electrode 32 has a function of collecting electrons of the separated transparent electrodes 33.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the transparent electrodes 33 are provided in the wide portions 35, respectively. The transparent electrode 33 is made of a transparent conductor so that light can pass through the electrolytic solution 4. For example, an ITO film can be used. The transparent electrode 33 is formed in the wide portion 35 where the interval between the partition walls 30 is wide. In this embodiment, the electrons sent to the transparent electrode 33 of the transparent electrode 33 are carried through the auxiliary electrode 32.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the metal oxide 34 is a part of the negative electrode similarly to the transparent electrode 33, and is a paste in which a metal oxide semiconductor (generally composed of titanium dioxide) is diffused. Is applied from the negative electrode side substrate 3 or the transparent electrode 33. When the thickness of the metal oxide 34 is about 20 [μm], the metal oxide 34 becomes translucent and allows light to pass through the electrolytic solution 4. On the metal oxide 34, a dye solution (not shown) is applied and dried to carry the dye. The dye is not particularly limited as long as it can efficiently absorb sunlight.

  The electrolytic solution 4 is injected between the metal oxide 34 that is a part of the negative electrode 31 and the positive electrode 21. As a material for the electrolytic solution 4, an iodine solution can be generally used. In addition, the material of the electrolytic solution 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is a mediator capable of transferring electrons by an oxidation-reduction reaction. Moreover, it does not necessarily need to be a liquid.

  With the configuration of the battery 1 described above, when light such as sunlight is applied to the negative electrode side substrate 3, the iodine of the electrolyte solution 4 is passed through the transparent negative electrode side substrate 3, the transparent electrode 33, and the translucent metal oxide 34. Light hits. In the battery 1, iodine valence electrons in the electrolytic solution 4 are excited by this light and flow through the metal oxide 34 to generate electricity.

  The configuration of the dye-sensitized solar cell will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the component P1 on the positive electrode 21 side, and FIG. 2B shows a view of the component P2 on the negative electrode 31 side in a bird's eye view. The battery 1 is obtained by injecting the electrolytic solution 4 into the parts P1 and P2 bonded together with the adhesive force of the partition walls 30.

  A positive electrode 21 is formed on the positive substrate 2 shown in FIG. 2A by vapor deposition, sputtering, CVD, or the like. A portion 22 formed in a wave shape is a portion to be joined to the partition wall 30. In the portion 22, the light irradiated from the negative electrode side substrate 3 side is not easily transmitted because it is blocked by the partition wall 30, and therefore the power generation effect is thin, so the positive electrode 21 is not formed from the viewpoint of cost reduction. The positive electrode 21 is formed for the other parts. Further, the part P1 has holes 231 to 23N for injecting the electrolyte solution 4 and holes 241 to 24N for sucking out air discharged during the injection (the injection method is described in FIG. 4 described later). ing.). In FIG. 1, these holes are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, a partition wall 30 and an auxiliary electrode 32 are formed on the negative electrode side substrate 3, and the partition wall 30 stands upright from the negative electrode side substrate 3 to a position higher than the metal oxide 34. A wall is formed. The transparent electrode 33 is formed at the position of the wide portion 35 so that electricity is conducted to the auxiliary electrode 32. The metal oxide 34 is applied on the entire surface of the negative electrode side substrate 3, the auxiliary electrode 32, and the transparent electrode 33 to the portion other than the partition wall 30.

  2A and 2B, the parts P1 and P2 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are aligned so that the portion 22 where the positive electrode 21 formed in a wave shape is not formed and the shape of the partition wall 30 are matched, and heating, By applying pressure, the partition wall itself becomes an adhesive, and the space between the positive electrode side substrate 2 and the negative electrode side substrate 3 is sealed.

  A method for manufacturing the component P2 on the negative electrode 31 side illustrated in FIG. 2B will be described with reference to FIG.

  <ST1: Formation of Partition Wall> As shown in FIG. 3A, the partition wall 30 is formed on the negative substrate 3 by a dispensing method or a printing method.

<ST2: Formation of Auxiliary Electrode> As shown in FIG. 3B, a linear auxiliary electrode 32 (for example, made of platinum) is provided between the partition walls 30 on the negative electrode side substrate 3 by vapor deposition, sputtering, CVD, or the like. It is formed at regular intervals so as to come to the position.
<ST3: Formation of Transparent Electrode> As shown in FIG. 3C, a transparent electrode 33 (for example, ITO) is formed on the wide portion 35 from the top formed in ST2.
<ST4: Application of Metal Oxide> As shown in FIG. 3D, a metal oxide 34 (a paste in which a metal oxide semiconductor is diffused) is applied from the top formed in ST3. However, it is not applied on the partition wall 30. As a coating method, a printing method, a doctor blade method, a slot die method, a spray method, or the like can be applied. Here, the particle diameter of the metal oxide semiconductor is 10 to 30 [nm].
<ST5: Drying of Metal Oxide> Next, the applied metal oxide 34 is dried by a drying furnace or the like. The drying conditions are about 30 [seconds] to 30 [minutes] at a temperature around 120 to 180 [° C.]. When dried in this way, the thickness of the dried metal oxide 34 is about 10 to 30 [μm].
<ST6: Application / Drying / Supporting of Dye Solution> The dye solution is applied to the one formed in ST5 and dried to support the dye. Drying conditions are the same as ST5.

  A method for injecting the electrolytic solution 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The battery 1 is configured by injecting the electrolytic solution 4 into the battery 10 in which the parts P1 and P2 formed in FIG. For the injection of the electrolyte solution 4, an electrolyte solution injector 5 and holding plates 61 and 62 that hold the injected liquid so as not to leak are used.

  The electrolyte solution injector 5 includes not only the injector 50 but also a suction device 55 so that the electrolyte solution 4 can be injected efficiently. The injector 50 is adapted to the container 51 in which the inside is hollow and the inlet 52 and the pipes 531 to 53N are connected, the tubular inlet 52, and the holes 231 to 23N of the part A (see FIG. 2A). Tubes 531 to 53N through which the electrolytic solution 4 injected into the container 51 is passed. The aspirator 55 supplies air from the container 56 in accordance with the container 56 similar to the container 51, the suction port 57 similar to the injection port 52, and the holes 241 to 24N of the part A (see FIG. 2A). And pipes 581-58N to be sucked out.

  As described above, the electrolyte solution injector 5 shown in FIG. 4 allows the electrolyte solution 4 to be filled in the battery 10 with the injector 50 and the suction device 55 provided only at both ends of the battery 10, as in the conventional case. It is not necessary to inject the electrolyte solution 4 in a matrix for each cell. For example, it is possible to inject using the electrolyte injector 5 while sequentially moving the battery 10 in the longitudinal direction of the container 51 by the configuration in which the battery 10 is wound up. If the battery 1 is manufactured in this way, it is not necessary to connect cells, and a roll of the dye-sensitized solar cell 1 can be manufactured continuously and contributes to cost reduction.

The transparent electrode 33 shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a plurality of pieces separated from each other, but may be applied to the entire portion other than the partition wall 30. On the other hand, even if the transparent electrode 33 is applied only partially as shown in FIG. 2, the metal oxide 34 that is a part of the negative electrode 31 is formed on the entire surface of the negative substrate 3 (except for the partition wall 30). Since it is applied, the metal oxide 34 plays a role of collecting electrons, so that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the battery 1 is not affected.
Moreover, the structure which closes a partition about the both ends with the holes 231-23N and the holes 241-24N and seals the area | region enclosed with a partition is also possible, respectively. In this case, the press plates 61 and 62 may not be required.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, the dye-sensitized solar cell of the second embodiment according to the application of the dye-sensitized solar cell of the first embodiment (illustrated as 1A, hereinafter referred to as “battery 1A”). Will be described. FIG. 5 shows a battery 1A of the second embodiment corresponding to the AA cross-sectional view of FIG. In this battery 1A, the cross section of the partition wall 30A is different from that of the partition wall 30 of the first embodiment, and the partition wall 30A is formed from the positive electrode 21 to the metal oxide 34, and this space can be maintained at a predetermined interval. it can. Other points are the same as those of the dye-sensitized solar cell of the first embodiment, and the above description is applied mutatis mutandis and the same reference numerals are used. Further, the partition wall 30A corresponds to the partition wall 30 of the first embodiment, and the material is the same as that of the partition wall 30, and the planar arrangement of the partition wall 30A can be the same as that in FIG.

  In this configuration, since the partition wall 30 </ b> A is configured in a mesh shape so as to cover the metal oxide 34, it can be prevented from being peeled off from the substrate by an external force applied to the metal oxide 34.

  The manufacturing method of the dye-sensitized solar cell of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. In this embodiment, the positive electrode 21 shown in FIG. 2A, the manufacturing method thereof, and the injection method shown in FIG. 4 are the same, but the manufacturing order of the component P2 is different from that shown in FIG. Regarding the battery 1 of the first embodiment, ST2 to ST6 shown in FIG. 3 correspond to ST11 to ST15 of the manufacturing method of the component Y of this embodiment, and ST1 corresponds to ST16.

<ST11: Formation of Auxiliary Electrode> As shown in FIG. 6A, linear auxiliary electrodes 32 (for example, made of platinum) are formed at regular intervals on the negative substrate 3 by vapor deposition, sputtering, CVD, or the like. To do.
<ST12: Formation of Transparent Electrode> As shown in FIG. 6B, a transparent electrode 33 (for example, ITO) is formed in alignment with the auxiliary electrode 32.
<ST13: Application of Metal Oxide> As shown in FIG. 6C, a metal oxide 34 (a paste in which a metal oxide semiconductor is diffused) is applied from the top of what is formed in FIG. 6B. As a coating method, a printing method, a doctor blade method, a slot die method, a spray method, or the like can be applied. Here, the particle diameter of the metal oxide semiconductor is 10 to 30 [nm].
<ST14: Drying of Metal Oxide> Next, the coated metal oxide 34 is dried by a drying furnace or the like. The drying conditions are about 30 [seconds] to 30 [minutes] at a temperature around 120 to 180 [° C.]. When dried in this way, the thickness of the dried metal oxide 34 is about 10 to 30 [μm].
<ST15: Application / Drying / Supporting of Dye Solution> The dye solution is applied to the one formed in ST14 and dried to support the dye. Drying conditions are the same as ST14.

  <ST16: Formation of Partition Wall> As shown in FIG. 6D, the partition wall 30 is formed on the transparent electrode 33 from the top formed in ST15 by a dispensing method or a printing method.

  In the battery 1A of the second embodiment, unlike <ST1: formation of the partition wall> described with reference to FIG. 3A, the height of the partition wall 30A to be formed in ST16 is the same as that of the metal oxide 34. It is necessary to adjust the interval between the positive electrodes 21.

  In this embodiment, since the partition wall 30A is formed last, it is not always necessary to insert the partition wall 30A between the auxiliary electrodes 32, and the directions may be different. For example, the angle formed by the auxiliary electrode 32 and the partition wall 30A can be 90 degrees. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is no problem even if the transparent electrode 33 is applied to the entire surface. The dye-sensitized solar cell of this embodiment can be applied to the third and fifth embodiments described later, but the same applies to the above points.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the dye-sensitized solar cell of the third embodiment according to the application of the first and second embodiments (illustrated as a dye-sensitized solar cell 1C, hereinafter referred to as “battery 1C”). .) Will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the battery 1C, and the positional relationship corresponds to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments described above only in the arrangement of the partition walls 30 and the planar shape of the transparent electrode 33, and the above description applies mutatis mutandis for other points. As shown in FIG. 7, the partition wall 30C of this embodiment is continuous with the partition wall 301C and the partition wall 302C as one unit, and as in the first embodiment, the wide portions 35C and the narrow portions 37C are alternately arranged. It is continuous. Next to the wide portion 35C, a narrow portion 38C is formed between the partition wall 303C adjacent to the partition wall 302C. The transparent electrode 33C is formed in an octagon shape in accordance with the wide portion 35C. Even with this configuration, the battery 1C can be manufactured by injecting the electrolyte solution 4 by the method of injecting the electrolyte solution 4 shown in FIG. Also in this embodiment, the negative electrode 21 and the positive electrode 31 can be bent by the dotted line portion around the wide portion 35C shown in FIG. 7 in the x and y directions, similarly to 3011x, 3012x, 3021x, and 3022x. The gap can be maintained at a predetermined interval, and a short circuit between the negative electrode 21 and the positive electrode 31 can be prevented.
In the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the transparent electrodes 33C may be applied to the entire portion other than the partition walls 30C without being separated from each other.

  Next, the apparatus of 4th Embodiment which concerns on the application of the dye-sensitized solar cell of 1st, 3rd embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the dye-sensitized solar cell of the fourth embodiment, and the positional relationship corresponds to the cross-sectional view of FIG. The difference from the first and third embodiments described above is only that the cross section (A) of the partition wall 30 is different from the surrounding shape in accordance with the difference in the shape of the cross section, and the other description is the same. The above description is applied mutatis mutandis using reference numerals.

  In the example of FIG. 8A, the partition wall 30D is formed by arranging the partition wall 301D and the partition wall 302D as one unit. Compared to the position of the substrate 3, it has a bulging shape. In the example of FIG. 8B, the partition wall 30E is formed by arranging the partition wall 301E and the partition wall 302E as one unit, and the partition wall 301E and the partition wall 302E are bent in a “V” shape at the center of the cross section. It has a shape.

  In any of the embodiments of the partition walls 30D and 30E shown in FIG. 8, since the force from the vertical direction is absorbed by the substrate while being distorted, the strength against the load can be improved.

  The apparatus of 5th Embodiment which concerns on the application of the dye-sensitized solar cell of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. The partition wall 30F of the battery 1F according to this embodiment is configured by arranging 301F to 304F as one unit around the transparent electrode 33F, and a part of the partition walls 301C to 302C shown in FIG. 7 is divided. Yes. If comprised in this way, when the magnitude | size of this unit and a material are compared as the same, the force which supports between the positive electrode 21 and the metal oxide 34 with respect to the battery 1C of 3rd Embodiment shown in FIG. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, since the electrolyte solution 4 also flows in the x direction in which the partition walls 30 are arranged, it is not necessary to provide a large number of tubes 531 to 53N as shown in FIG.

  In addition to the third and fifth embodiments, it is possible to arrange the partition walls 30 so that the wide portion 35 and the narrow portion 37 are formed. For example, the wide portion 35 and the narrow portion 37 are not limited to octagons, but can be configured by curves, arcs, and polygons. However, from the viewpoint of injecting the electrolyte solution 4 by the method of injecting the electrolyte solution 4 shown in FIG. 4, there are few steps between the wide portion 35 and the narrow portion 37, and the electrolyte solution is more smoothly connected. 4 is desirable to make the electrolyte solution 4 uniform throughout the battery 1.

  In addition, the partition 30C is swelled so that the wide portions 35 and 35C and the narrow portions 37 and 37C are formed. Even if the partition 30C is bent in various directions, the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 31 are held and short-circuited. Therefore, as long as this characteristic can be satisfied, it is not always necessary for the partition walls to be continuous with a single stroke as in the partition wall 30C, and a part thereof may be divided as in the example of FIG. . However, considering the efficiency of the injection of the electrolytic solution 4 and the suction of air shown in FIG.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 1A of the first embodiment and the example of FIG. 7, if the wide portions 35 and 35C are cells that are local regions (part of regions partitioned by the partition walls 30). The narrow portions 37, 37C, and 37F can also be regarded as passages that connect the cells. As in the example of FIG. 1 (A) and the examples of FIGS. 7 and 9, the electrolyte solution 4 is movably connected to each other in a portion where the part of the cell surrounded by the partition wall is open and adjacent. The electrolyte solution 4 can be distributed to adjacent cells. There is no need to perforate the surface of each cell to inject the electrolyte solution 4 or to connect the cells as in the prior art. Therefore, a dye-sensitized solar cell can be manufactured by the method of FIG. 4 and contributes to productivity improvement. In addition, each of these cells is surrounded by a partition wall, and it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode (corresponding to 21 and 31 in the first embodiment) against bending in various directions. it can. In order to have a strength for preventing a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode (corresponding to 21 and 31 in the first embodiment) against bending in various directions, the partition wall surrounding each cell It is desirable that the total width of the passage is narrower than the total length.

  In the above embodiment, the partition wall 30 (including 30A to F. The same applies hereinafter) is made of an adhesive resin, but there are other configurations that can adhere both surfaces of the partition wall 30 without necessarily being an adhesive resin. That's fine. However, when the partition wall 30 is made of such an adhesive resin, when the parts P1 and P2 are bonded together, the adhesion is improved by heating to about 150 [° C.], which is lower than the heat resistance temperature of the substrate, and weather resistance is improved. Therefore, it is desirable that the partition wall 30 be made of this adhesive resin.

Further, the electrolytic solution 4 is not necessarily a liquid and may be a solid. However, it is generally said that the liquid electrolyte 4 has better electron mobility and better power generation efficiency. Moreover, in the dye-sensitized solar cell of the above embodiment, even if the electrolyte solution 4 is liquid, the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be held at a constant interval even when an external force is applied.
The following invention is also conceivable.

  (A) A region between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is partitioned by the partition wall, and a cell having a convex polygonal or circular region is continuously formed. A part of the cell may be another cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall is open so that the electrolyte can move.

  Thus, since the periphery of the cell is formed in a convex shape, it is possible to support between the positive electrode and the negative electrode against bending in any direction, and to prevent a short circuit between the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side. Since the partition walls are open so that the electrolyte can move between other cells, there is no need to manufacture multiple cells and paste them together in a matrix, and the electrolyte can be distributed to other cells without injecting electrolyte into each cell. Can do. Accordingly, a dye-sensitized solar cell that can be held so as not to be short-circuited between the negative electrode and the positive electrode even when bent is formed, and has high productivity.

Configuration of dye-sensitized solar cell according to the first embodiment Parts diagram of the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the dye-sensitized solar cell of the first embodiment The figure showing the manufacturing method of the components by the side of the negative electrode of the dye-sensitized solar cell of 1st Embodiment The figure showing the injection | pouring method of the electrolyte solution of the dye-sensitized solar cell of 1st Embodiment Configuration diagram (cross-sectional view) of dye-sensitized solar cell of second embodiment The figure showing the manufacturing method of the components by the side of the negative electrode of the dye-sensitized solar cell of 2nd Embodiment Configuration diagram (plan view) of dye-sensitized solar cell of third embodiment Example of sectional view of dye-sensitized solar cell of fourth embodiment Configuration diagram (plan view) of dye-sensitized solar cell of fifth embodiment

Explanation of symbols

1-dye-sensitized solar cell, 2-positive electrode side substrate 21-positive electrode, 211-positive electrode, 212-positive electrode, 22-part hole-231 to 23N, hole-241 to 24N
3-negative electrode side substrate, 30-partition, 301-partition, 302-partition, 303-partition 31-negative, 32-auxiliary electrode, 321-auxiliary electrode, 322-auxiliary electrode 33-transparent electrode, 331-ITO film, 332 -ITO film, 34-metal oxide 35-wide part, 37-narrow part, 38-narrow part, 4-electrolyte, 5-electrolyte injector 50-injector, 51-container, 52-inlet , 531-53N-tube,
55-suction machine, 56-container, 57-suction port, 581-58N-tube 61-pressing plate, 62-pressing plate

Claims (7)

In a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a flexible positive electrode substrate formed in a plane, a positive electrode, an electrolyte, a negative electrode including a metal oxide semiconductor, and a flexible negative electrode substrate are layered in this order. ,
A dye-sensitized solar cell, wherein an insulating partition is provided between a positive electrode substrate and a negative electrode substrate so as to partition a region between the positive electrode substrate and the negative electrode substrate. In a dye-sensitized solar cell in which a flexible positive electrode substrate formed in a plane, a positive electrode, an electrolyte, a negative electrode including a metal oxide semiconductor, and a flexible negative electrode substrate are layered in this order. ,
A dye-sensitized solar cell, wherein an insulating partition is provided between the positive electrode and the metal oxide semiconductor so as to partition a region between the positive electrode and the metal oxide semiconductor. The partition walls are arranged side by side,
The dye-sensitized solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the partition wall is provided so that a wide portion with a wide interval and a narrow portion with a narrow width are alternately and repeatedly formed. .   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to claim 3, wherein the partition wall is provided to have a wave-like smooth curve.   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the partition wall is formed in a V-shaped cross section or a shape in which both sides of the cross section bulge.   The dye-sensitized solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the partition wall is made of an adhesive resin. A dye-sensitized solar cell in which a flexible positive electrode side substrate formed in a plane, a positive electrode, an electrolyte, a negative electrode including a metal oxide semiconductor, and a flexible negative electrode side substrate are layered in this order. In the manufacturing method,
Producing a first component having the positive electrode formed on the positive substrate;
Producing a second component having the negative electrode formed on the negative substrate;
For either the first component or the second component, a plurality of insulating partition walls are formed side by side to connect the positive electrode and the negative electrode to partition the electrolyte into a plurality of long-axis regions. A partition formation step;
A bonding step of bonding the first component and the second component after the partition formation step;
A method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising: performing a step of injecting an electrolytic solution for each region formed by the partition walls with respect to those bonded in the bonding step.

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