Low temperature interconnection of nanoparticles

Abstract

A polymeric linking agent enables the manufacture of photovoltaic cells on flexible substrates, including, for example, polymeric substrates. Photovoltaic cells may be fabricated by a relatively simple continuous manufacturing process, for example, a roll-to-roll process, instead of a batch process.

1 - 21 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A flexible photovoltaic cell comprising a photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material and a charge carrier material, both disposed between first and second flexible, significantly light transmitting substrates.  
     
     
         23 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material comprises nanoparticles linked by a polymeric linking agent.  
     
     
         24 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material comprises particles with an average size substantially in the range of 10 nm to 40 nm.  
     
     
         25 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material comprises interconnected titanium dioxide nanoparticles.  
     
     
         26 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material is selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxides, zinc oxides, tungsten oxides, niobium oxides, lanthanum oxides, tantalum oxides, tin oxides, terbium oxides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material comprises a photosensitizing agent that comprises a molecule selected from the group consisting of xanthines, cyanines, merocyanines, phthalocyanines, and pyrroles.  
     
     
         28 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 27 , wherein the photosensitizing agent further comprises a metal ion selected from the group consisting of divalent and trivalent metals.  
     
     
         29 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 27 , wherein the photosensitizing agent comprises at least one of a ruthenium transition metal complex, an osmium transition metal complex, and an iron transition metal complex.  
     
     
         30 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the charge carrier material comprises a redox electrolyte system.  
     
     
         31 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the charge carrier material comprises a polymeric electrolyte.  
     
     
         32 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein the charge carrier material transmits at least about 60% of incident visible light.  
     
     
         33 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the first and second flexible, significantly light transmitting substrates comprises a polyethylene terephthalate material.  
     
     
         34 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , further comprising a catalytic media layer disposed between the flexible, significantly light transmitting first and second substrates.  
     
     
         35 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 34 , wherein the catalytic media layer comprises platinum.  
     
     
         36 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 22 , further comprising an electrical conductor material disposed on at least one of the first and second flexible, significantly light transmitting substrates.  
     
     
         37 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 36 , wherein the electrical conductor material comprises indium tin oxide.