Bio-photovoltaic conversion device using chlorine-e6 derived from chlorophyll from Spirulina adsorbed on a nanocrystalline TiO2 film electrode

A bio-photovoltaic conversion device based on dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) using the visible light sensitisation of chlorine-e(6) (Chl-e(6)) derived from chlorophyll from Spirulina adsorbed on a nanocrystalline TiO2 film was developed. Form fluorescence spectrum of Chl-e(6) adsorbed on a nanocrystalline TiO2 film, the emission of Chi-e(6) was effectively quenched by TiO2 nanocrystalline indicating that the effective electron injection from the excited singlet state of Chl-e(6) into the conduction band of TiO2 particles occurred. The short-circuit photocurrent density (I-SC) the open-circuit photovoltage (V-OC), and the fill factor (FF) of solar cell using Chl-e(6) adsorbed on a nanocrystalline TiO2 film electrode were estimated to be 0.305+/-0.012 mA cm(-2) 426+/-10 mV, and 45.0%, respectively. IPCE values were reached a maximum around the wavelength of absorption maximum (7.40% at 400 nm; 1.44% at 514 nm and 2.91% at 670 nm), indicating that the DSSC using visible light sensitisation of nanocrystalline TiO2 film by Chl-e(6) was developed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.