Dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract

A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a base material that functions as an electrode, has flexibility, and has a porous layer, containing a dye-sensitizer-supported fine particle of a metal oxide semiconductor on one surface thereof. A counter electrode base material is arranged to oppose the base material for dye sensitized solar cell, functions as an electrode, and has flexibility. A solid electrolyte layer is provided between the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material and contacts the porous layer. Among the base materials, at least one has transparency; and at least one has an insulating layer provided on a surface thereof. The insulating layer is provided in a region a region where the porous layer is formed, and where the base materials are opposed to each other. The insulating layer has an external communication portion that leads from an inside of the porous layer-forming region to outside.

1 . A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising:
 a base material for dye-sensitized solar cell that functions as an electrode, has flexibility, and has a porous layer, containing a dye-sensitizer-supported fine particle of a metal oxide semiconductor, provided on one surface of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell;   a counter electrode base material that is arranged so as to oppose to the base material for dye sensitized solar cell, functions as an electrode, and has flexibility; and   a solid electrolyte layer that is provided between the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material so as to come into contact with the porous layer,   wherein at least one of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material has transparency; at least one of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material has an insulating layer provided on a surface thereof; the insulating layer is provided in a region which surrounds a porous layer-forming region where the porous layer is formed, and which is where the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material are opposed to each other; and the insulating layer has an external communication portion that leads from an inside of the porous layer-forming region to outside.   
     
     
         2 . The dye-sensitized solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the external communication portion is a void space where the insulating layer is not provided in part of a region which surrounds the porous layer-forming region and which is where the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material are opposed to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The dye-sensitized solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell is composed of a metal foil and the counter electrode base material has transparency. 
     
     
         4 . The dye-sensitized solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer has tackiness. 
     
     
         5 . A dye-sensitized solar cell module comprising the two or more dye-sensitized solar cells according to  claim 1  connected together. 
     
     
         6 . A method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the steps of:
 first preparing a base material for dye-sensitized solar cell that functions as an electrode, has flexibility, and has a porous layer, containing a dye-sensitizer-supported fine particle of a metal oxide semiconductor, provided on one surface of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell, and a counter electrode base material that is arranged so as to oppose to the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell, functions as an electrode, and has flexibility;   then forming the porous layer on the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell;   forming a solid electrolyte layer so as to come into contact with the porous layer;   forming an insulating layer on a surface of at least one of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material in a region which surrounds a region corresponding to a porous layer-forming region, where the porous layer is formed, and which is where the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material are opposed to each other when they are bonded together; and then   bonding together the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material opposed to each other with the porous layer and the solid electrolyte layer being interposed therebetween,   wherein at least one of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material has transparency, and the porous layer-forming step, the solid electrolyte layer-forming step, and the insulating layer-forming step are performed in no particular order.   
     
     
         7 . The method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell according to  claim 6 , wherein a metal foil is used as the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell, a base material having transparency is used as the counter electrode base material, and in the porous layer-forming step, the porous layer is formed by burning. 
     
     
         8 . The method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell according to  claim 6 , wherein in the insulating layer-forming step, the insulating layer is formed by applying a composition for forming an insulating layer in a pattern onto at least one of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material or by using a tape having insulating properties. 
     
     
         9 . The method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell according to  claim 6 , wherein: the porous layer is formed by applying a composition for forming a porous layer in a pattern onto the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell in the porous layer-forming step; the solid electrolyte layer is formed by applying a composition for forming a solid electrolyte layer in a pattern onto the porous layer in the solid electrolyte layer-forming step; and the insulating layer is formed by applying a composition for forming an insulating layer in a pattern onto at least one of the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material in the insulating layer-forming step.