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Efficient Bio-Nano Hybrid Solar Cells via Purple Membrane as Sensitizer

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Abstract

Bacteriorhodopsin is a heptahelical protein found in the purple membrane of Halobacterium salinarum. The performance of bacteriorhodopsin was evaluated as a sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Bacteriorhodopsin was efficiently immobilized on the titanium dioxide nanoparticles and then tested for its ability to convert solar radiation to electricity. The photovoltaic performance of DSSC based on the bacteriorhodopsin sensitizer has been examined. Under AM1.5 irradiation, a short-circuit current of 0.28 mA cm−2, open-circuit voltages of 0.51 V, fill factor of 0.62, and an overall energy conversion efficiency of 0.09 % are achieved employing platinum as a counter electrode. Carbon was used as a counter electrode instead of platinum to reduce costs. Based on carbon electrode, a short-circuit current of 0.21 mA cm−2 and open-circuit voltages of 0.52 V were obtained.

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Conflict of Interest

We declare that we have no conflicts of interest in the authorship or publication of this contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Sajad Janfaza & Jamshid Mehrvand

  2. Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Malek-Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Ahmad Molaeirad

  3. Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Raheleh Mohamadpour

  4. Pharmaceutical and Biologically-Active Compounds Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 16846-13114, Iran

    Maryam Khayati

Authors
  1. Sajad Janfaza
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  2. Ahmad Molaeirad
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  3. Raheleh Mohamadpour
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  4. Maryam Khayati
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  5. Jamshid Mehrvand
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Correspondence to Ahmad Molaeirad.

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Janfaza, S., Molaeirad, A., Mohamadpour, R. et al. Efficient Bio-Nano Hybrid Solar Cells via Purple Membrane as Sensitizer. BioNanoSci. 4, 71–77 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-013-0118-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-013-0118-1

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