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Improving the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells using nanoparticles and a dye produced by an Antarctic bacterium

Environmental Sustainability volume 4, pages 711–721 (2021)Cite this article

A Correction to this article was published on 01 June 2021

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Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are attractive alternatives compared with conventional photovoltaic-silicon-based cells, mainly because they are environmentally friendly. In this work, we report Antarctic bacterial pigments as sensitizers in combination with external co-sensitizers. DSSC were assembled with different concentrations of the purple-pigment violacein, as well in conjunction with xanthophylls and silver nanoparticles. The violacein produced by the Antarctic bacterium Janthinobacterium sp. UV13 is a dye with physical/chemical features compatible with its use as the sensitizer in the production of high conversion efficiency DSSC (stability at day-light and room temperature during 100 days, stability at 85 °C during 20 min, a suitable oxidation potential value, light-absorption in the visible range and ability to adsorb onto TiO2 electrodes). The cells' conversion efficiency improved when it was sensitized with preparations of the pigment and silver nanoparticles following sequential steps, with the achievement of conversion efficiency of 0.230 ± 0.002%. DSSC assembled under these conditions showed long persistence of the photoelectric properties after 100 days. Our results suggest that the use of violacein with silver nanoparticles has significant technological potential, mainly during the manufacturing of eco-friendly solar cells. The purpose of this type of photovoltaic devices in Antarctica offers successful application perspectives to generate energy from renewable resources.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute (IAU, Instituto Antártico Uruguayo) for the logistic support during the stay in the Antarctic Base Artigas. JJM, SCS and MFC are members of the National Research System (SNI, Sistema Nacional de Investigadores). This work was partially supported by PEDECIBA (Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas).The work of JJM was supported by ANII and CAP (Comisión Académica de Posgrado, UdelaR).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Juan José Marizcurrena & Susana Castro-Sowinski

  2. Laboratorio de Biomateriales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay

    María Fernanda Cerdá

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  1. Juan José Marizcurrena
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  2. Susana Castro-Sowinski
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  3. María Fernanda Cerdá
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Correspondence to María Fernanda Cerdá.

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The original online version of this article was revised: In Fig. 3, the units of the Y-axis were incorrect.

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Marizcurrena, J.J., Castro-Sowinski, S. & Cerdá, M.F. Improving the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells using nanoparticles and a dye produced by an Antarctic bacterium. Environmental Sustainability 4, 711–721 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-021-00168-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-021-00168-8

Keywords:

  • Dye-sensitized solar cells
  • Impedance
  • Silver-nanoparticles
  • Janthinobacterium sp. UV13
  • Violacein