US4175981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic cell comprising metal-free phthalocyanine
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1978-07-03
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Granted: 1979-11-27
•
Expires: 1998-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic cell wherein the photoactive layer comprises a thin layer of metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in a binder. The electrical output is greatly in excess of that obtained from prior art organic semiconductor photovoltaic cells of the same surface area.
Inventors
- 👤 Rafik O. Loutfy
- 👤 Lloyd F. McIntyre
- 👤 James H. Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:06
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10K; H10K85/00; H10K85/30; H10K85/311; H10K30/00; H10K30/451; H10K30/50; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/549
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A photovoltaic apparatus comprising a device having a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode having sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder and leads connecting each of said electrodes to an electrical circuit forming a load circuit wherein said device is the power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A photovoltaic apparatus comprising a device having a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode having sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder and leads connecting each of said electrodes to an electrical circuit forming a load circuit wherein said device is the power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the layer has a thickness of from about 1 to about 3 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal-free phthalocyanine is in the x-form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the x-form metal-free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 15 to about 95 percent by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the x-form metal-free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 55 to about 65 percent by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the binder is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylacetates, polycarbonates, copolymers of polystyrene and acrylonitrile, and polyvinylcarbazoles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier electrode comprises a vapor deposited layer of aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a light transparent protective layer resides on said barrier electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said protective layer is dye sensitized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sensitizing dye commprises coumarine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal-free phthalocyanine is in the alpha form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal-free phthalocyanine is in the beta form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an electrically insulating layer is provided between said photoactive layer and said barrier electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photoactive layer comprises a stabilizer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of tetrabutylammonium perchlorate and di-m-tolyl-diphenyl-biphenyldiamine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photoactive layer contains an electron acceptor material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electron acceptor material is selected from the group consisting of chloranil, ortho-benzoquinone, tetracyano-quindomethane, tetracyanoethylene and trinitrofluorenone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
A photovoltaic apparatus comprising a device having a first electrode having coated thereon a photoactive layer comprising from about 55 percent to about 65 percent, by weight, x-form metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder comprising polyvinyl acetate, a second, barrier electrode residing on said photoactive layer and leads connecting each of said electrodes to an electrical circuit forming a load circuit wherein said device is the power source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
A photovoltaic apparatus comprising a device having a first electrode having coated thereon a photoactive layer comprising from about 55 percent to about 65 percent, by weight, x-form metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder comprising polyvinyl acetate, a second, barrier electrode residing on said photoactive layer and leads connecting each of said electrodes to an electrical circuit forming a load circuit wherein said device is the power source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said photoactive layer is dye sensitized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said sensitizer is coumarine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the dye is diffused into the photoactive layer to a depth of about 400 Angstroms at the barrier electrode interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said photoactive layer has a thickness of from about 1 to about 3 microns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said barrier electrode is aluminum.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of converting light energy into electrical energy which comprises providing a device comprising a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode and sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder, and exposing said photoactive layer to light through said barrier electrode.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of converting light energy into electrical energy which comprises providing a device comprising a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode and sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder, and exposing said photoactive layer to light through said barrier electrode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the photoactive layer has a thickness of from about 1 to about 3 microns.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the metal-free phthalocyanine is in the x-form.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the x-form metal-free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 15 percent to about 95 percent, by weight.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the x-form metal-free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 55 percent to about 65 percent, by weight.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the binder is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylacetates, polycarbonates, copolymers of polystyrene and acrylonitrile, and polyvinylcarbazoles.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the barrier electrode comprises a vapor deposited layer of aluminum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-26 | 1983-05-28 | 1983-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-26 | 1987-05-28 | 1987-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-26 | 1991-05-28 | 1991-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |