Low cost solid and quasi-solid electrolytes for photoelectrochemical solar cells

摘要

This paper considers methods for cost-reduction of photoelectrochemical (Graetzel) solar cells. The photoelectrochemical (also known as Graetzel) cell, offers an attractive and potentially low cost alternative to conventional semiconductor based solar cells. Currently, although such devices offer many advantages in terms of low cost materials and manufacture, it would be desirable to further reduce costs and increase stability. Two of the most significant sources of manufacturing costs and complexity in these devices, are: (ⅰ) the use of costly transparent conductive coated glass as substrates for the device, and (ⅱ) hermetic sealing of the volatile liquid electrolytes conventionally used.