Nanotube film enhanced 3-D photoanode for dye-sensitive photovoltaic cell

Abstract

The present invention teaches increasing the efficiency of a dye-sensitive solar cell by increasing the surface area of the DSSC photoanode. A thin film titanium oxide is deposited in trapezoidal shaped wells etched in the DSSC substrate. The thin-film titanium oxide is anodized to produce titanium oxide nanotubes on the inner surface of the trapezoidal shaped wells to further increase the surface area and incidence of light being temporarily trapped within the wells. A sensitized dye overlays the titanium oxide nanotubes to increase quantity of light absorbed by the titanium oxide nanotubes. A photoactive layer such as Cs2O may be deposited to enhance electron current contribution. A compatible transparent metal contact layer is deposited. This layer may be followed by a high-refractive index droplet over the well to act as a convex lens waveguide for incoming light. Electrical connections are then made to the frontside and backside metal contacts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.