A study on knowledge flows of dye-sensitized solar cells’ patent

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the development and knowledge flows of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) via the use of patent inventor database. Moreover, this study aims to explore patentees and inventors’ companies to help readers and practitioners to be able to understand the patentees, technology development and activities of knowledge flows from four countries. DSSCs, which are known as one of the key technologies of green energy, have been applied ever more widely to many different industries, and their use has quickly grown with a number of scientific publications and patent applications. Design/methodology/approach – This paper was based on the US patent database collection of third-generation DSSCs in four typical countries such as USA, Japan, Germany and Taiwan to map the knowledge network of DSSC technology via the social network analysis method. Findings – The knowledge network of 132 DSSC patents was explored. Among the four countries, Japan leads, with the main patent number being H01G009. This paper also indicates the knowledge flow situation of Japanese inventors of DSSCs. For example, patented inventors Wariishi and Koji (JP) served the Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (JP) in 2002, and then in 2008, transferred to the Fuji Film Corporation (JP). This means that the knowledge of technology was transferred by people who moved to another company for a new job. Research limitations/implications – This study is based on US Patent and Trademark Office patent database to do exploration. Practical implications – This study was expected to provide information for the industry, government and academia, so that they will understand the trajectory of the technology inventor, specialist cultivation and technology development in the DSSC industry. Originality/value – This study provides useful information for the green energy industry, government and academia to understand the importance of the knowledge flows and future development of DSSC technology of the solar cell industry. Thereby, they can intensify industrial competence and innovation by externally collaborating in this field as well as to increase the industrial competence by reimbursing the funds from government and other research institutes.

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Aging effect in dye-sensitized solar cells sealed with thermoplastic films

Microelectronics International ◽

10.1108/mi-11-2018-0075 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 68-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mian-En Yeoh ◽

Adrian Jaloman ◽

Kah-Yoong Chan

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Aging Time ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Aging Effect ◽

Gradual Improvement ◽

Content Type ◽

Term Operation ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the aging effect in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) sealed with thermoplastic film and to compare it with unsealed DSSCs. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents the steps of the fabrication of standard DSSC, as well as the DSSC-sealing processes, by using thermoplastic film. Current-voltage characterization was performed to observe the changes in efficiency, fill factor, short circuit current density and open circuit voltage for both unsealed and sealed DSSCs for aging time up to 336 h. Findings The unsealed DSSC showed significant drop in efficiency from 4.26 to 2.42 per cent within the first 5.5 h of aging time because of the leakage and volatilization of the solvent in the electrolyte. On the other hand, the sealed DSSC exhibited a gradual improvement of efficiency from 4.16 to 4.73 per cent after the first 216 h of aging time. The initial efficiency increment can be ascribed to the improved adsorption of electrolyte into the titanium dioxide film because of the gradual desorption of excess dye from TiO2 with increasing aging time. Originality/value This paper demonstrates the importance of the proper sealing process for the long-term operation of DSSC.

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Investigation of photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells based on azo dyes contain various anchoring groups

Pigment & Resin Technology ◽

10.1108/prt-04-2019-0033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 481-486 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mozhgan Hosseinnezhad ◽

Hanieh Shaki

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Substituent Effect ◽

Organic Dyes ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Photovoltaic Properties ◽

Content Type ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Anchoring Groups ◽

Conversion Efficiencies ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the substituent effect in dye-sensitized solar cells’ (DSSCs) performance. For this end, three new metal organic dyes with DPA structure were synthesized. For investigation of the substituent effect, two different anchoring groups, namely, 1,3-dioxo-1Hbenz[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)-yl)benzenesulfonamides and 1,8-naphthalimide, were used. Design/methodology/approach Three organic dyes based on azo were selected, which contain various electron donor groups. Absorption properties of purified dyes were studied in solution and on photoelectrode (TiO2 and ZnO) substrate. DSSCs were prepared to determine the photovoltaic performance of each photosensitizer. Findings The results showed that all organic dyes form J-aggregation on the photoanode substrate. Cyclic voltammetry results for all organic dyes ensured an energetically permissible and thermodynamically favorable charge transfer throughout the continuous cycle of photo-electric conversion. The results illustrate conversion efficiencies of cells based on solution Dyes 1, 2 and 3 and TiO2 as 3.44, 4.71 and 4.82 per cent, respectively. The conversion efficiencies of cells based on solution Dye 1, 2 and 3 and ZnO are 3.21, 4.09 and 4.14 per cent, respectively. Practical implications In this study, the development of effect of assembling materials, offering improved photovoltaic properties. Social implications Organic dye attracts more and more attention because of its low-cost, facile route synthesis and less-hazardous properties. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the effect of anchoring agent and nanostructure on DSSCs performance was investigated for the first time.

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Atomic layer deposition of TiO2 blocking layers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Microelectronics International ◽

10.1108/mi-01-2020-0007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 87-93

Author(s):

Aleksandra Drygała ◽

Marek Szindler ◽

Magdalena Szindler ◽

Ewa Jonda

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Atomic Layer Deposition ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Atomic Layer ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Content Type ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Layer Deposition ◽

Vis Spectroscopy ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) which present promising low-cost alternative to the conventional silicon solar cells mainly due to comparatively low manufacturing cost, ease of fabrication and relatively good efficiency. One of the undesirable factor in DSSCs is the electron recombination process that takes place at the transparent conductive oxide/electrolyte interface, on the side of photoelectrode. To reduce this effect in the structure of the solar cell, a TiO2 blocking layer (BL) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was deposited. Design/methodology/approach Scanning electron microscope, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to evaluate the influence of BL on the photovoltaic properties. Electrical parameters of manufactured DSSCs with and without BL were characterized by measurements of current-voltage characteristics under standard AM 1.5 radiation. Findings The TiO2 BL prevents the physical contact of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and the electrolyte and leads to increase in the cell’s overall efficiency, from 5.15 to 6.18%. Higher density of the BL, together with larger contact area and improved adherence between the TiO2 layer and FTO surface provide more electron pathways from TiO2 to FTO which facilitates electron transfer. Originality/value This paper demonstrates that the introduction of a BL into the photovoltaic device structure is an important step in technology of DSSCs to improve its efficiency. Moreover, the ALD is a powerful technique which allows for the highly reproducible growth of pinhole-free thin films with excellent thickness accuracy and conformality at low temperature.

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Review of State of the Art Recycling Methods in the Context of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14133741 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (13) ◽

pp. 3741

Author(s):

Fabian Schoden ◽

Marius Dotter ◽

Dörthe Knefelkamp ◽

Tomasz Blachowicz ◽

Eva Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Turbine Blades ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Green Energy ◽

The State ◽

Production Costs ◽

Wind Turbine Blades ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

In times of climate change and dwindling fossil resources, the need for sustainable renewable energy technologies gains importance, increasingly fast. However, the state of the art technologies are energy intensive in their production, like monocrystalline photovoltaic, or even consist of not recyclable composite material, in the case of wind turbine blades. Despite a lack in efficiency and stability, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have a high potential to supplement the state of the art green energy technology in future. With low production costs and no necessity for toxic compounds DSSCs are a potential product, which could circulate in the loops of a circular economy. Therefore, with this paper, we provide the status of research on DSSC recycling and an outlook on how recycling streams could be realized in the future for glass-based DSSCs without toxic components. The overview includes work on using recycled material to build DSSCs and extending the life of a DSSC, e.g., through rehydration. We also illustrate the state of sustainability research for DSSCs using the VOSviewer tool. To date, the term sustainability appears in 35 of 24,441 publications on DSSCs. In view of the global challenges, sustainability should be researched more seriously because it is as important as the efficiency and stability of DSSCs.

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Identification of technology development trends based on subject–action–object analysis: The case of dye-sensitized solar cells

Technological Forecasting and Social Change ◽

10.1016/j.techfore.2015.05.014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 98 ◽

pp. 24-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Xuefeng Wang ◽

Pengjun Qiu ◽

Donghua Zhu ◽

Liliana Mitkova ◽

Ming Lei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Technology Development ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Development Trends ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

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Anthraquinones- A probe to enhance the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs

International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE) ◽

10.11591/ijece.v6i3.pp1274-1280 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 1274

Author(s):

Jinchu I ◽

Jyothi R ◽

N Pandurangan ◽

Sreelatha KS ◽

Krishnashree Achuthan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Wavelength Region ◽

Green Energy ◽

Natural Dye ◽

Energy Prices ◽

Photovoltaic Properties ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

<p>Natural dye sensitized solar cells are a promising class of photovoltaic cells with the capacity of generating green energy at low production cost since no expensive equipment is required in their fabrication. Photovoltaics are a precious technology in the hasty world where energy prices are goes on increasing within seconds. Researchers are focusing to facilitate for producing eco-friendly, low cost and more efficient dye sensitized solar cells. In the present work we discuss the comparative photovoltaic studies of Lawsone, a natural dye from henna plant and Alizarin, a natural dye from the root of madder for fabricating the Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The absorption spectrum of Lawsone and Alizarin is found to be shifted to the longer wavelength region after the complex formation. As a result there is a significant increase in short circuit current density and conversion efficiency. This result compares with the standard dye i.e. N719 dye.</p>

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Henna (Lawsonia inermisL.) Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Titania Solar Cell

Journal of Nanotechnology ◽

10.1155/2012/167128 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Khalil Ebrahim Jasim ◽

Shawqi Al-Dallal ◽

Awatif M. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Low Cost ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit Current ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Green Energy ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Research Activities ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Low-cost solar cells have been the subject of intensive research activities for over half century ago. More recently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a new class of low-cost solar cells that can be easily prepared. Natural-dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSCs) are shown to be excellent examples of mimicking photosynthesis. The NDSSC acts as a green energy generator in which dyes molecules adsorbed to nanocrystalline layer of wide bandgap semiconductor material harvest photons. In this paper we investigate the structural, optical, electrical, and photovoltaic characterization of two types of natural dyes, namely, the Bahraini Henna and the Yemeni Henna, extracted using the Soxhlet extractor. Solar cells from both materials were prepared and characterized. It was found that the levels of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are concentration dependent. Further suggestions to improve the efficiency of NDSSC are discussed.

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