Silicon dioxide solar cell

Abstract

A silicon dioxide solar cell includes first and second substrates having electrical conductivity, the first and second substrates being arranged so that conductive surfaces of the first and second substrates are facing each other, the first substrate being a transparent substrate on a light incident side to which a light is irradiated; a silicon dioxide layer consisting essentially of silicon dioxide particles which is formed on an electrode disposed on the second substrate such that the silicon dioxide layer has a photovoltaic ability absorbing an infrared light; and an electrolyte disposed between said first and second substrate. The space between the silicon dioxide layer and the first substrate on the light incident side is filled with the electrolyte, and the silicon dioxide solar cell is configured to generate electricity from the silicon dioxide particles of the silicon dioxide layer and output the electricity via the electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A silicon dioxide solar cell, comprising:
 first and second substrates having electrical conductivity, the first and second substrates being arranged so that conductive surfaces of the first and second substrates are facing each other, the first substrate being a transparent substrate on a light incident side to which a light is irradiated;   a silicon dioxide layer consisting essentially of silicon dioxide particles which is formed on an electrode disposed on the second substrate such that the silicon dioxide layer has a photovoltaic ability absorbing the light which includes an infrared light; and   
       an electrolyte disposed between said first and second substrate, wherein
 a space between the silicon dioxide layer and the first substrate on the light incident side is filled with the electrolyte, and 
 the silicon dioxide solar cell is configured to generate electricity from the silicon dioxide particles of the silicon dioxide layer and output the electricity via the electrode. 
 
     
     
         2 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicon dioxide particles have the particle diameter of 500 nm or less. 
     
     
         3 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicon dioxide particles are treated with halogen acid. 
     
     
         4 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 3 , wherein the halogen acid is hydrofluoric acid. 
     
     
         5 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 3 , wherein the halogen acid is hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         6 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicon dioxide layer consisting essentially of the silicon dioxide particles selected from the group consisting of synthetic quartz particles, fused quartz glass particles, non-alkali glass particles, borosilicate glass particles, and soda-lime glass particles 
     
     
         7 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 1 , wherein a porous titanium dioxide sintered material is disposed on the first substrate on the light incident side. 
     
     
         8 . The silicon dioxide solar cell according to  claim 7 , wherein the porous titanium dioxide sintered material has adsorbed thereon sensitizing dye.