Composites comprising an exfoliated graphite support material having a degree of graphitization g in an range of 50 to 93%, obtained by XRD Rietveld analysis, which is coated with ZnO nanoparticles. These composites are produced by three different methods: A) (syn) the method comprises the following consecutive steps: i) a Zn(II)salt is dissolved in a solvent ii) graphite and a base are added simultaneously iii) the mixture is stirred under impact of ultrasound iv) the solvent is removed from the suspension or B) (pre) the method comprises the following consecutive steps: i) graphite is suspended in a solvent and exfoliated via impact of ultrasound ii) a Zn(II)salt and a base are added simultaneously forming nano-ZnO particles iii) the mixture is stirred iv) the solvent is removed from the suspension or C) (post) the method comprises the following steps: i) a Zn(II)salt and a base are mixed in a solvent in a first reactor forming nano-ZnO particles ii) graphite is exfoliated via impact of ultrasound in a second reactor iii) both suspensions of i) and ii) are mixed together iv) after step iii) the solvent is removed from the suspension. These coated composites may be tempered in a further step and again coated and again tempered.

The invention relates to an electrode (10) for photoelectric catalysis, comprising a supporting layer (1) on which a catalytic layer (2) is arranged, which comprises particles (3) from a first semiconductor material, and a method for the production of said electrode and a solar cell with said electrode.

It is provided that the catalytic layer (2) further features a matrix (4) consisting of a second semiconductor material, which at least partially surrounds the particles.

A method of fabricating a photovoltaic absorber layer is provided. The method embodies the application of an anodic paste along the surface of the transparent conductive substrate, wherein the applied surface is coupled to a cathodic element forming a solar cell. The anodic paste comprises titanium dioxide nanoparticles in powder form mixed with light-absorbing dye and electrolytic paste.

The present invention relates to a photovoltaic device (1a) comprising a solar cell unit (2a) including a working electrode comprising a light-absorbing layer (3), a counter electrode including a porous conductive layer (6), and a conducting medium for transferring charges between the counter electrode and the working electrode, and a conductor (7) electrically connected to the porous conductive layer (6). The solar cell unit (2a) comprises at least one adhering layer (8) arranged between the conductor (7) and the porous conductive layer (6) for attaching the conductor to the porous conductive layer. The adhering layer (8) comprises an adhesive and conducting particles distributed in the adhesive so that a conducting network is formed in the adhesive.

Provided is a method of manufacturing an electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells, the method including: preparing a hydrogel membrane; immersing the hydrogel membrane in an electrolyzing solution containing iodine or iodide such that the hydrogel membrane is impregnated with iodide ions; and drying the hydrogel membrane.

Provided is a carbon nanotube water dispersion with which it is possible to form a conductive film that has excellent film strength and can cause a solar cell to display excellent conversion efficiency and reliability. The carbon nanotube water dispersion is for an electrode of a solar cell that includes an electrolyte solution containing a polar aprotic substance as a solvent and contains carbon nanotubes, a dispersant, a thickener, and water. The dispersant is soluble in the solvent and the thickener is insoluble in the solvent.

A simple, one-step method for producing a homogenous CeO.sub.2—TiO.sub.2 composite thin film using aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (“CVD”) of a solution containing triacetatocerium (III) and tetra isopropoxytitanium (IV) on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (“FTO”) substrate at a temperature ranging from about 500 to about 650° C. Methods for using the film produced by this method.

This disclosure relates to the manufacture an alkali metal quaternary crystalline nanomaterial. an alkali metal quaternary crystalline nanomaterial having general Formula A (I.sub.2-II-IV-VI.sub.4); and wherein I is sodium (Na) or lithium (Li), II and IV are Zn or Sn, and VI is a chalcogens selected from the group comprising: sulphur (S), selenium (Se) or tellurium (Te). The crystal phase of the alkali metal quaternary crystalline nanomaterial may be a primitive mixed Cu—Au like structure (PMCA) and may have a space group: P42m. The nanomaterials may be adapted to provide a solar cell. Methods of manufacture are also provided.

Provided is a solar cell module and a manufacturing method thereof, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell module includes a substrate; and conductive layers arranged on a surface of the substrate and separated from each other. Solar sub-cells are provided on a surface of the conductive layer. Grooves are provided between adjacent solar sub-cells to separate the solar sub-cells from each other. Each of the solar sub-cells includes a hole transport layer, a perovskite layer and an electron transport layer that are stacked on the surface of the conductive layer. The hole transport layer of each solar sub-cell includes branch electrodes separated from each other. Each of the branch electrodes contacts an interior of the conductive layer. The solar cell module further includes an electrode. The electrode successively passes through the electron transport layer and the perovskite layer and is connected to the branch electrodes.

A photoelectric conversion device in an embodiment includes a first photoelectric conversion part including a first transparent electrode, a first photoelectric conversion layer, and a first counter electrode and a second photoelectric conversion part including a second transparent electrode, a second photoelectric conversion layer, and a second counter electrode, the first photoelectric conversion part and the second photoelectric conversion part being provided on a transparent substrate. The first counter electrode and the second transparent electrode are electrically connected by a connection part. As for the first photoelectric conversion layer and the second photoelectric conversion layer, adjacent portions of the adjacent first and second photoelectric conversion layers are electrically separated by an inactive region having electrical resistance higher than that of the first and second photoelectric conversion layers.