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

Oriented assembly of bacteriorhodopsin on ZnO nanostructured electrode for enhanced photocurrent generation

“…When comparing our results to literature data, it appears clearly that protein‐sensitized solar cell using the immobilized bR LB film on the ZnO nanoporous film is more efficient than those fabricated using reported photoanodes. For instance, an efficiency of ∼0.09% has been reported for a bR‐sensitized solar cell using bR/TiO 2 /FTO, which is lower than our new results . Furthermore, the light‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency of designed biosolar cell is significantly higher than that observed for other biosolar energy conversion systems such as photoelectrochemical cell based on bR/ITO .…”

“…The reported photocurrent produced by biophotovoltaic cell based on bR/ITO electrode is at the pA or nA level, which is quite low . More recently, Janfaza et al reported an efficient dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) via PM immobilized on a TiO 2 nanoparticulate film. DSSCs have drawn tremendous attention for economical production and relatively high energy conversion efficiency .…”

Photocurrent generation by adsorption of two main pigments of Halobacterium salinarum on TiO2 nanostructured electrode

“…The photoelectrochemical performance of the DSSCs based on two pigments showed a V oc of 0.57 V, a J sc of 0.45 mA cm −2 , a fill factor of 0.62, and an efficiency of 0.16%. When comparing our results with literature data, it clearly appears that bio‐solar cells that use bR and bacterioruberin are more efficient than those fabricated using only bR . As a conclusion, bacterial pigments as sensitizers of DSSCs are promising because of their availability, appropriate performance, and low cost of production.…”

Bio-nano hybrid materials based on bacteriorhodopsin: Potential applications and future strategies

“…Biomolecule-sensitized solar cells (BSSCs) have been developed as a promising "green" technology for low-cost photovoltaic power generation [41][42][43]. The mechanism of BSSCs is very similar to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).…”

“…In contrast to conventional DSSCs that use expensive and toxic ruthenium complexes, bR-based BSSCs employ a low cost, renewable, environment friendly, and non-carcinogenic without any disposal problems as light harvesters [42,43].…”