Novel Photoanode Structure Templated from Butterfly Wing Scales

Abstract

We studied a novel photoanode structure inspired by butterfly wing scales with potential application on dye-sensitized solar cell in this paper. Quasi-honeycomb like structure (QHS), shallow concavities structure (SCS), and cross-ribbing structure (CRS) were synthesized onto a fluorine-doped tin-oxide-coated glass substrate using butterfly wings as biotemplates separately. Morphologies of the photoanodes, which were maintained from the original butterfly wings, were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The results show that the calcined photoanodes with butterfly wings' structures, which comprised arranged ridges and ribs consisting of nanoparticles, were fully crystallined. Analysis of absorption spectra measurements under visible light wavelength indicates that the light-harvesting efficiencies of the QHS photoanode were higher than the normal titania photoanode without biotemplates because of the special microstructures, and then the whole solar cell efficiency can be lifted based on this.

Bio-Inspired Photonic Structures: Prototypes, Fabrications and Devices

“…Besides the main categories, some other bio-inspired photonic applications are also reported [96][97][98][99][100]. For examples, the natural scales of Morpho sulkowskyi are extremely sensitive to the different environmental vapors, which lead to dramatically improved responses as units of potential sensor applications compared with that of current devices [101].…”

“…Using black scales of the butterfly Papilio paris and Thaumantis diores as templates, hierarchically periodic microstructure titania replica was systhesized by chemical procedures. The high surface area inherited from the natural templates is great advantages to the light harvesting efficiency and dye sorption when the replica is used as photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell [100]. With Morpho as bio-templates, alumina replicas show the potential applications in waveguides and beam-splitters under thin film coating by ALD and sintering [97].…”

Synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 /Eggshell Nanocomposite and Application for Preparation of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]Pyran Derivatives

“…The strategy of the use of waste materials has an amazing upsurge of good intention in the application of bio-waste materials such as eggshell waste. Low-cost eggshell waste has been widely used as a possible bone substitute, catalyst, support, and efficient bio-templates due to their high catalytic activity, ease of handling, reusability and benign character [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. The eggshell is an inexpensive and easily available biomaterial; it has porous structure that is related to its natural content.…”

“…According to the literature, chemical compounds found in egg shell are calcium carbonate (94%), magnesium carbonate (1%), calcium phosphate (1%) and organic matter (4%) [40]. It is individually attractive for synthesizing metal nanoparticles due to strong metal-protein bonding can be readily employed [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. Nowadays, waste shell of egg support have been employed as a catalyst for biodiesel synthesis, lactose isomerization and preparation of dimethyl carbonate [41][42][43][44].…”

Fine Structure of Wing Scales in <I>Chrysozephyrus Ataxus</I> Butterflies

“…In fact, some investigators have produced replicas of the photonic structures of butterfly scales using atomic layer deposition technique [18][19][20] and a biotemplate method. 21) Therefore, the structural investigations of the butterfly scales are still required for achieving tuneable photonic properties in the artificial scales. Although there are about 180 000 species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), relatively few have been subject to detailed examination of wing scale structure.…”