IP Library Granted Patent US 7,224,036
Granted Patent B2
US 7,224,036 · App. 10/489,793 · Granted May 29, 2007

Photoelectric transducer and its manufacturing method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,224,036
App. No.
10/489,793
Granted
May 29, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A photoelectric transducer comprises an electrode ( 5 ) on which a semiconductor layer ( 7 ) carrying a sensitizing dye is deposited. The semiconductor layer ( 7 ) contains semiconductor particles and a binder and has a porosity of 40 to 80%. A method for manufacturing a photoelectric transducer by applying a solution containing semiconductor particles and a binder to an electrode ( 5 ), drying the electrode, and pressing the electrode under a pressure of 20 to 200 Mpa so as to form a semiconductor layer ( 7 ) is also disclosed. By the method, a photoelectric transducer comprising a semiconductor layer where a conduction path of photo-excited electrons is ensured without sintering the semiconductor layer at a high temperature and which has an adhesive power adaptable to the flexibility of the base and exhibiting excellent photoelectric transducing characteristics can be provided.

Claims (22)

1. A photoelectric transducer comprising:

a first electrode comprising a semiconductor layer carrying a sensitizing dye formed thereon;

a second electrode opposed to the semiconductor layer of the first electrode; and

an electrolyte layer placed between the semiconductor layer of the first electrode and the second electrode,

wherein the semiconductor layer of the first electrode comprises semiconductor particles and a binder,

wherein a porosity of the semiconductor layer of the first electrode is in a range of 40 to 80%, and

wherein a ratio of the binder in the semiconductor layer is in a range of 0.2 to 10% by mass with respect to a total component forming the semiconductor layer of the first electrode.

2. The photoelectric transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the binder contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a cellulose derivative, a rubber elastic polymer, a single polymer or copolymer of N-vinylacetamide, polyethylene oxide, sodium alginate, polyacrylic acid and its salt, polyvinylphenol, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyacrylamine, polyhydroxy(meth)acrylate, polyvinyl acetal, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, starch oxide, phosphorylated starch, casein, and polyolefin.

3. The photoelectric transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is configured with an electrode portion adhering to a synthetic resin film.

4. The photoelectric transducer according to claim 3 , wherein the synthetic resin film is at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene terephthalate film, a polyethylene naphthalate film, a polyether suiphone film, a polyacrylate film, a polyimide film, a cycloolefin polymer film, and a norbornene resin film.

5. A photoelectric transducer, comprising:

a first electrode comprising a semiconductor layer carrying a sensitizing dye formed thereon;

a second electrode opposed to the semiconductor layer of the first electrode; and

an electrolyte layer placed between the semiconductor layer of the first electrode and the second electrode,

wherein the semiconductor layer of the first electrode comprises semiconductor particles and a binder,

wherein a porosity of the semiconductor layer of the first electrode is in a range of 40 to 80%, and

wherein a ratio of the binder in the semiconductor layer is in a range of 0.2 to 10% by mass with respect to a total component forming the semiconductor layer of the first electrode,

said semiconductor layer being formed by the steps of:

applying a solution comprising said semiconductor particles and said binder to said first electrode;

drying said solution; and

pressing at a pressure of 20 to 200 MPa,

said binder containing at least one contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a cellulose derivative, a rubber elastic polymer, a single polymer or copolymer of N-vinylacetamide, polyethylene oxide, sodium alginate, polyacrylic acid and its salt, polyvinylphenol, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyacrylamine, polyhydroxy(meth)acrylate, polyvinyl acetal, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, starch oxide, phosphorylated starch, casein, and polyolefin.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 28, 2009
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS, LTD.
To: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 022191/0478 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2006
From: HITACHI MAXELL LTD.
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 018010/0682 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2004
From: KOJIMA, KATSUNORI; MIYATA, TERUHISA
To: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
Reel/Frame 015528/0809 →