Damage Tolerant Bio-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have drawn intense interest recently in the field of alternative energy and nanomaterials. Highly ordered, free-standing titanium dioxide nanotube (TiNT) arrays exhibit favorable properties due to their barrier-free electron percolation pathway vs. traditional TiO₂ nanoparticles in DSSC designs. TiNT arrays prepared by dual electrochemical anodization of polished Ti foils were removed from the foil and deposited on highly flexible ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) electrodes. Compared to traditional ITO/PET substrates the metalized UHMWPE offers a more flexible/robust platform for robust DSSC designs. The engineering approach utilizes a two-step anodization procedure coupled with the implementation of a rapid inert gas dehydration method. By controlling the reaction conditions during anodization (voltage, duration, concentration), TiNT array with specific morphology, lengths, and diameter can be tailored to be the application and sensitizer specifications. In the effort to create DSSC with enhanced robustness, a highly stable protein sensitizer with elevated chemical and temperature resistance compared to traditional dyes is being developed. The free-standing arrays, comprised of hexagonally close-packed and regularly ordered TiNT membranes, are engineered to a tube pore-size of 150nm to accommodate the specialized protein dye. Additionally, a novel polymer gel electrolyte is being developed to simultaneously enhance the protein´s photoconversion efficiency and increase the lifetime of the cell. The end result of this work will be a highly-flexible, damage tolerant, and extreme environment stable DSSCs.