US4442185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photoelectrochemical cells for conversion of solar energy to electricity and methods of their manufacture
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1982-06-09
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Granted: 1984-04-10
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Expires: 2002-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A photoelectric device is disclosed which comprises first and second layers of semiconductive material, each of a different bandgap, with a layer of dry solid polymer electrolyte disposed between the two semiconductor layers. A layer of a polymer blend of a highly conductive polymer and a solid polymer electrolyte is further interposed between the dry solid polymer electrolyte and the first semiconductor layer. A method of manufacturing such devices is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Terje Skotheim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/20; H01M; H01M14/00; H01M14/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A photoelectric device comprising: (a) a first layer of semiconductive material having a first band gap; (b) a second layer of semiconductor material having a different band gap or of a metal; (c) a layer of dry solid polymer electrolyte between said first and second layers; and (d) a layer of a polymer blend of a highly conductive polymer and a solid polymer electrolyte between said dry solid polymer electrolyte and said first layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A photoelectric device comprising: (a) a first layer of semiconductive material having a first band gap; (b) a second layer of semiconductor material having a different band gap or of a metal; (c) a layer of dry solid polymer electrolyte between said first and second layers; and (d) a layer of a polymer blend of a highly conductive polymer and a solid polymer electrolyte between said dry solid polymer electrolyte and said first layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first layer is selected from the group of single crystal silicon, amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, CdSe, CdTe, or CdS.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second layer is a layer of semiconductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second layer is a transparent counter electrode of a metal or metal oxide on a transparent substrate and is selected from the group comprising indium-tin oxide, platinum, chromium, and indium-tin oxide coated with platinum.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
A device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, further comprising a second layer of polymer blend of a highly conductive polymer and a solid polymer electrolyte between said dry solid polymer electrolyte and said second layer of material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said polymer blend layer is in the range of 100 to 1000 angstroms thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said dry solid polymer electrolyte is less than 10,000 angstroms thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said polymer layers are in the range of 1.0 to 0.01 micrometers thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said polymer blend layer is at least 0.005 micrometers thick and said polymer electrolyte layer is up to 10 times thicker.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
51 words
A device according to any one of claims 1, or 2, or 3, wherein said highly conductive polymer in said blend is selected from the group comprising polyindole, polyazulene, polythiophene, or polyfuran; and said solid polymer electrolyte in said blend is selected from the group comprising polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said dry solid polymer electrolyte is polyethylene oxide complexed with potassium iodide or sodium iodide; or polypropylene oxide complexed with potassium iodide or sodium iodide.
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) | 1987-04-10 | 1987-10-10 | 1988-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-10 | 1991-10-10 | 1992-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-10 | 1995-10-10 | 1996-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |