Patents by Inventor Michael Grätzel

Michael Grätzel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11680035
    Abstract: The organic small molecule 4,4?,4?,4??-(5,5-dimethoxycyclopenta-1,3-diene-1,2,3,4-tetrayl)tetrakis(N,N-bis(4-methoxyhenyl)aniline (CPDA 1), shows electrochemical properties very close to spiro-OMeTAD indicating a high compatibility with PSC systems for its use as a hole transport material (HTM). The implementation of the cyclopentadiene dimethyl acetale core helps to red shift the absorption onset of the films as well as provide a flexible spatial configuration of the molecule, which is essential for optimum film forming properties. Transient and steady state emission analysis as well as hole mobility measurements indicate that the new HTM allows a better charge extraction, transport and separation than the spiro-OMeTAD reference compound. PSCs based on the new CPDA 1 show a PCE close to 23% with lower hysteresis than its analogue. Stability studies performed under ambient, heated and humid conditions all showed that CPDA 1 is over-performing spiro-OMeTAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Yuhang Liu, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Michael Bauer, Peter Bäuerle
  • Patent number: 11594694
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic and/or photoelectrochemical device including a conductive support layer, n-type semiconductor, a sensitizer or light-absorber layer, a hole transporting layer, a spacer layer and a back contact, wherein the n-type semiconductor is in contact with the sensitizer or light-absorber layer, the sensitizer or light-absorber layer includes a perovskite or metal halide perovskite material, the hole transporting layer is in direct contact with the sensitizer or light-absorber layer and includes an inorganic hole transporting material or inorganic p-type semiconductor, the spacer layer is between the hole transporting layer and the back contact and includes a material being different from the inorganic hole transporting material and the material of the back contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Neha Arora, Mohammad Ibrahim Dar, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 11355720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a solid state solar cell, including the steps of providing a conductive support layer or current collector, applying a metal oxide layer on the conducting support layer, applying at least one sensitizer layer onto the metal oxide layer or onto a first optional layer covering the metal oxide layer, the first optional layer including a charge transporting layer, applying a second optional layer onto the sensitizer layer, the second optional layer being selected from a charge transporting layer, a protective layer, or a combination of both layers, and providing a counter electrode or a metal electrode onto the sensitizer layer or the second optional layer. The at least one sensitizer layer includes an organic-inorganic or metal halide perovskite and is treated by the application of a vacuum before the annealing of the sensitizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Xiong Li, Chenyi Yi, Dongqin Bi, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Anders Hagfeldt
  • Publication number: 20220033342
    Abstract: The organic small molecule 4,4?,4?,4??-(5,5-dimethoxycyclopenta-1,3-diene-1,2,3,4-tetrayl)tetrakis(N,N-bis(4-methoxyhenyl)aniline (CPDA 1), shows electrochemical properties very close to spiro-OMeTAD indicating a high compatibility with PSC systems for its use as a hole transport material (HTM). The implementation of the cyclopentadiene dimethyl acetale core helps to red shift the absorption onset of the films as well as provide a flexible spatial configuration of the molecule, which is essential for optimum film forming properties. Transient and steady state emission analysis as well as hole mobility measurements indicate that the new HTM allows a better charge extraction, transport and separation than the spiro-OMeTAD reference compound. PSCs based on the new CPDA 1 show a PCE close to 23% with lower hysteresis than its analogue. Stability studies performed under ambient, heated and humid conditions all showed that CPDA 1 is over-performing spiro-OMeTAD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yuhang Liu, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Michael Bauer, Peter Bäuerle
  • Patent number: 11195959
    Abstract: A perovskite material including an organic-inorganic perovskite structure of formula (I), AnMX3 (I), n being the number of cation A and an integer >4, A being a monovalent cation selected from inorganic cations Ai and/or from organic cations Ao, M being a divalent metal cation or a combination thereof, X being a halide and/or pseudohalide anion or a combination thereof, wherein at least one cation A is selected from organic cations Ao, the inorganic cations Ai are independently selected from Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, or Tl+ and the organic cations Ao are independently selected from ammonium (NH4+), methyl ammonium (MA) (CH3NH3+), ethyl ammonium (CH3CH2NH3)+, formamidinium (FA) (CH(NH2)2+), methylformamidinium (CH3C(NH2)2+), guanidium (C((NH)2)3+), tetramethylammonium ((CH3)4N+), dimethylammonium ((CH3)2NH2+) or trimethylammonium ((CH3)3NH+).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Saliba, Taisuke Matsui, Konrad Domanski, Jiyoun Seo, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Wolfgang Richard Tress, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 11177440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing an organic-inorganic perovskite, the method comprising the step of depositing a perovskite precursor solution comprising one or more organic cation, wherein said precursor solution preferably deposited by inkjet printing. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of perovskite solar cells. For depositing the perovskite, a perovskite precursor solution or ink is preferably used, which comprises an organic cation carrying an anchoring group, such as 5-ammonium valeric acid. Surprisingly, the presence of the latter compound renders the precursor solutions stable and suitable for inkjet printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: AALTO UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL), SOLARONIX S.A
    Inventors: Syed Ghufran Hashmi, Merve Ozkan, David Martineau, Xiong Li, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Publication number: 20210249196
    Abstract: An organometallic perovskite solar cell and manufacturing process, in particular a solar cell having a lead or tin organometallic photon absorber layer. The organometallic solar cell includes an absorber layer containing a compound which crystallizes in the perovskite crystal lattice and which includes a lithium-free hole conductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Seckin Akin, Maximilian Fleischer, Michael Grätzel, Hui-Seon Kim, Jiyoun Seo, Elfriede Simon, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin
  • Publication number: 20210054288
    Abstract: This invention relates to an optoelectronic and/or photovoltaic device comprising a compound used as crystal defect mitigating agent or passivating agent, the compound being selected from a compound of formula (I), a compound of formula (II), a mixture thereof, or a compound of formula (II) being selected from anyone of the disclosed formulae (III.1), (III.2), (II.3), (III4) and (III.5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Mohammad Madi Tavakoli, Yuhang Liu, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Publication number: 20200388442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optoelectronic device including an electron transport layer (ETL) and a light harvesting layer, wherein the light harvesting layer includes a metal halide perovskite and is provided on the ETL being a multilayer structure having at least two layers of metal oxide, at least one layer of which includes a crystalline mesoporous metal oxide and at least one layer of which includes an amorphous metal oxide or metal oxide nanocrystals, and wherein the layer being in contact with the light harvesting layer includes the amorphous metal oxide or the metal oxide nanocrystals and is provided on the layer including the crystalline mesoporous metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Mohammad Madi Tavakoli, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 10727414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) based on a structure including functionalized spirofluorene and fused aromatics or non-aromatic rings with at least one heteroatom, and used as hole transporting material in a optoelectronic and/or photoelectrochemical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Michael Saliba, Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Klaus-Hermann Dahmen, Gianluca Pozzi, Simonetta Orlandi
  • Patent number: 10680180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) based on carbazole substituted by diphenylamine and used as organic hole conductors or hole transporting material in an optoelectronic or photoelectrochemical device, with (I), D being selected from formula (1) or (2):
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Kaunas University of Technology
    Inventors: Paul Gratia, Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Vytautas Getautis, Artiom Magomedov, Tadas Malinauskas, Maryte Daskeviciene
  • Patent number: 10665800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a solid solar cells, including the steps of providing a hole collector layer, applying a conductive layer onto the hole collector layer, applying an electron blocking layer onto the conductive layer, applying a sensitizer layer onto the electron blocking layer, applying a hole blocking layer onto the sensitizer layer, and providing a current collector and/or a metal layer or a conductor. The sensitizer layer including an organic-inorganic perovskite is applied by co-deposition of one or more sublimated divalent or trivalent salts and of one or more sublimated organic ammonium salts to obtain the organic-inorganic perovskite. The invention also relates to solid state solar cells, wherein the charge flow is inverted compared to the charge flow in a solar cell of conventional architecture and/or obtained by the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Federate de Lausanne (EPFL), Universitat de Valencia
    Inventors: Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Hendrik Jan Bolink, Olga Malinkiewicz, Alejandra Soriano Portillo
  • Publication number: 20200111981
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic and/or photoelectrochemical device including a conductive support layer, n-type semiconductor, a sensitizer or light-absorber layer, a hole transporting layer, a spacer layer and a back contact, wherein the n-type semiconductor is in contact with the sensitizer or light-absorber layer, the sensitizer or light-absorber layer includes a perovskite or metal halide perovskite material, the hole transporting layer is in direct contact with the sensitizer or light-absorber layer and includes an inorganic hole transporting material or inorganic p-type semiconductor, the spacer layer is between the hole transporting layer and the back contact and includes a material being different from the inorganic hole transporting material and the material of the back contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Neha Arora, Mohammad Ibrahim Dar, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Publication number: 20200028081
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing an organic-inorganic perovskite, the method comprising the step of depositing a perovskite precursor solution comprising one or more organic cation, wherein said precursor solution preferably deposited by inkjet printing. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of perovskite solar cells. For depositing the perovskite, a perovskite precursor solution or ink is preferably used, which comprises an organic cation carrying an anchoring group, such as 5-ammonium valeric acid. Surprisingly, the presence of the latter compound renders the precursor solutions stable and suitable for inkjet printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Syed Ghufran Hashmi, Merve Ozkan, David Martineau, Xiong Li, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 10515767
    Abstract: The invention discloses a perovskite solar cell and a method of fabrication thereof. The perovskite solar cell sequentially comprises a transparent electrode, a mesoporous P-I-N framework and a counter electrode from the bottom to top; the mesoporous P-I-N framework is composed of an n-type semiconductor layer, an insulating layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer in a sequentially stacked mode, and the n-type semiconductor layer, the insulating layer and the p-type semiconductor layer all comprise mesopores filled with a perovskite material. The preparation method sequentially includes preparing the mesoporous P-I-N framework on a transparent conductive substrate through a spin-coating method or a screen printing method, filling with the perovskite material and preparing the counter electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL), HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mingkui Wang, Kun Cao, Jin Cui, Zhixiang Zuo, Yan Shen, Shaik Mohammad Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 10488879
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a solar cell having a hysteretic behavior; and a power device configured to extract a maximum power from the solar cell by forcing power oscillations of the power output by the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Norman Pellet, Fabrizio Giordano, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Grätzel
  • Publication number: 20190312155
    Abstract: A perovskite material including an organic-inorganic perovskite structure of formula (I), AnMX3 (I), n being the number of cation A and an integer >4, A being a monovalent cation selected from inorganic cations Ai and/or from organic cations Ao, M being a divalent metal cation or a combination thereof, X being a halide and/or pseudohalide anion or a combination thereof, wherein at least one cation A is selected from organic cations Ao, the inorganic cations Ai are independently selected from Li+, Na+, K+, Rb30, Cs+, or Tl+ and the organic cations Ao are independently selected from ammonium (NH4+), methyl ammonium (MA) (CH3NH3+), ethyl ammonium (CH3CH2NH3)+, formamidinium (FA) (CH(NH2)2+), methylformamidinium (CH3C(NH2)2+), guanidium (C((NH)2)3+), tetramethylammonium ((CH3)4N+), dimethylammonium ((CH3)2NH230) or trimethylammonium ((CH3)3NH+).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Saliba, Taisuke Matsui, Konrad Domanski, Jiyoun Seo, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Wolfgang Richard Tress, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 10332689
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photoanodes, solar cells and methods and processes for producing the same. In some embodiments, the solar cells of the invention can do without a sintered nanoporous scaffold layer, making it possible to produce the solar cells in low-temperature procedures. In some embodiments, the invention encompasses organic-inorganic perovskite sensitizers, deposited on a smooth metal oxide layer. In some embodiments, the organic-inorganic perovskite sensitizers are deposited in a two-step sequential process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Yella Aswani, Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Publication number: 20190044080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a solid state solar cell, including the steps of providing a conductive support layer or current collector, applying a metal oxide layer on the conducting support layer, applying at least one sensitizer layer onto the metal oxide layer or onto a first optional layer covering the metal oxide layer, the first optional layer including a charge transporting layer, applying a second optional layer onto the sensitizer layer, the second optional layer being selected from a charge transporting layer, a protective layer, or a combination of both layers, and providing a counter electrode or a metal electrode onto the sensitizer layer or the second optional layer. The at least one sensitizer layer includes an organic-inorganic or metal halide perovskite and is treated by the application of a vacuum before the annealing of the sensitizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Xiong Li, Chenyi Yi, Dongqin Bi, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel, Anders Hagfeldt
  • Publication number: 20180259990
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a solar cell having a hysteretic behavior; and a power device configured to extract a maximum power from the solar cell by forcing power oscillations of the power output by the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Norman Pellet, Fabrizio Giordano, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Grätzel