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US 9,040,816 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus for forming photovoltaic cells using electrospray
AssigneeNanocopoeia, LLC
InventorAnand Gupta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of forming a photovoltaic structures including nanoparticles are disclosed. The method includes electrospray deposition of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can include TiO2 nanoparticles and quantum dots. In an example, the nanoparticles are formed on a flexible substrate. In various examples, the flexible substrate is light transparent. Photovoltaic structures and apparatus for forming photovoltaic structures are disclosed.
Claims28
A photovoltaic structure comprising:
- a non-conductive core;
- a conductive layer on the non-conductive core;
- a photosensitive nano-composite nanoporous nanostructure layer at least partially formed by an electrospray process enclosing the conductive layer, the photosensitive layer containing TiO2 nanoparticles, quantum dots, and a photoactive pigment dye, wherein the quantum dots comprise at least one of ZnSe, CdSe/Zn, CdTe/ZnS, PbS, and PbSe and the quantum dots include a plurality of different sizes;
- an electrolyte in sol-gel on the photosensitive layer;
- a catalyst encapsulating the sol-gel electrolyte;
- a transparent conductor surrounding the catalyst;
- and
- a transparent insulator surrounding the transparent conductor.
5 more elements
A photovoltaic structure comprising:
- a first conductive layer on a first conductive layer;
- a second conductive layer spaced from the first conductive layer;
- a photosensitive nano-composite nanoporous region quantum dot located between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, wherein the photosensitive quantum dot region includes TiO2 nanoparticles and quantum dots having a diameter size gradient in a direction normal to a major surface of the first conductive layer, wherein the nano-composite nanoporous region encloses the first conductive layer, includes a photoactive pigment dye, wherein the quantum dots comprise at least one of ZnSe, CdSe/Zn, CdTe/ZnS, PbS, and PbSe;
- a catalyst encapsulating the second conductive layer;
- a transparent conductor surrounding the catalyst;
- and
- a transparent insulator surrounding the transparent conductor.
4 more elements
A photovoltaic structure the photovoltaic structure comprising:
- an electrically charged core including at least a conductive portion;
- and
- a photosensitive electrically charged nanoporous nanostructure layer coating the core, wherein the at least partially formed by an electrospray process charged core and nanostructure layer charge are of opposite polarity and the nanostructure layer includes quantum dots, TiO2 nanoparticles, a photoactive pigment die wherein the quantum dots comprise at least one of ZnSe, CdSe/Zn, CdTe/ZnS, PbS, and PbSe and the quantum dots include a plurality of different sizes;
- a catalyst encapsulating the nanoporous nanostructure layer;
- a transparent conductor surrounding the catalyst;
- and
- a transparent insulator surrounding the transparent conductor.
4 more elements
A photovoltaic structure the photovoltaic structure comprising:
- a first conductive layer;
- a second conductive layer spaced from the first conductive layer;
- and
- a photosensitive electrically charged nanoporous nanostructure layer located between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer at least partially formed by an electrospray process, wherein the nanostructure layer includes quantum dots, TiO2 nanoparticles, a photoactive pigment die wherein the quantum dots comprise at least one of ZnSe, CdSe/Zn, CdTe/ZnS, PbS, and PbSe, and wherein the quantum dots include a diameter size gradient in a direction normal to a major surface of the first conductive layer;
- a catalyst encapsulating the second conductive layer;
- a transparent conductor surrounding the catalyst;
- and
- a transparent insulator surrounding the transparent conductor.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.