PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION ELEMENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoelectric conversion element that is excellent in sealing function of electrolytic liquid and has a novel structure capable of increasing the numerical aperture.SOLUTION: A photoelectric conversion element 100 has a first substrate, a second substrate and plural cells arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the plural cells 10 has an optical anode 7 which is supported on the first substrate 1 and contains a conductive layer and a semiconductor layer containing photosensitizer formed on the conductive layer, a counter electrode 8 supported on the second substrate 2, electrolytic liquid 9 disposed between the optical anode 7 and the counter electrode 8, a first shield part 3 disposed in contact with the electrolytic liquid 9 between respective two cells of the plural cells 10, and a second shield part 5 disposed on the outer periphery of the plural cells 10 so as to surround the plural cells. The Young's modulus of the sealing material of the first seal part 3 is smaller than that of the sealing material of the second shield part 5. 【課題】電解液の封止機能に優れ、かつ、開口率を高めることが可能な新規な構造を有する光電変換素子を提供する。【解決手段】光電変換素子１００は、第１基板と、第２基板と、第１基板と第２基板との間に配列された複数のセルとを備え、複数のセル１０のそれぞれは、第１基板１に支持された光アノード７であって、導電層と、導電層上に形成された、光増感剤を含む半導体層とを含む、光アノード７と、第２基板２に支持された対極８と、光アノード７と対極８との間に配置された電解液９とを有し、複数のセル１０のうち隣接する２つのセルの間に、電解液９と接するように配置された第１シール部３と、複数のセル１０の外周に、複数のセルを包囲するように配置された第２シール部５とをさらに備え、第１シール部３の封止材のヤング率は、第２シール部５の封止材のヤング率よりも小さい。【選択図】図１