Utilization of Size-Controlled Squid Ink Particles as Enhancer for the Porosity of Titania Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

A potentially appealing alternative to the traditional fabrication process of TiO 2 film electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was presented by utilizing water-soluble TiO 2 composite pastes containing size-controlled ink particles (SIPs) isolated from the squid. The mixture ratios of SIPs in the paste formulations affected the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). The highest PCE was achieved when the mixture ratio of SIPs was 20%. The process is highly reproducible and leads to a 35% increase in PCE compared with that in the DSSC without SIP addition. The utilization of SIPs in the fabrication of TiO 2 film electrodes enhanced the performance of DSSCs.

Natural Eumelanin and Its Derivatives as Multifunctional Materials for Bioinspired Applications: A Review

“…Also, a thorough study on the dynamic build-up process for the eumelanin was conducted by Micillo et al, whose results reinforced the “geometric order and disorder” role . The unique optical property makes natural eumelanin a promising material to develop UV-shielding agents, photothermal agents, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as well as photocatalysts …”

“…Since their discovery by O’Regan and Grätzel in 1991, DSSCs have drawn significant attention due to their high conversion efficiency of solar energy to electricity . The front photoactive electrode of a DSSC is normally a transparent conductive oxide glass coated with TiO 2 sensitized with dyes . The sensitized dyes absorb light photons and generate electrons, which are able to transfer to the conduction band of the TiO 2 to initiate the electrical circuit .…”

“…Ruthenium­(II) and (III) complexes are applied in commercial DSSCs to perform as photosensitizers due to their wide absorption bands, long lifetimes, and long-term chemical stabilities. , However, the synthesis of these dyes requires expensive noble metals and complicated synthetic routes, yet with low yields. In contrast, natural eumelanin is considered to be a good alternative to the synthetic dyes because of its broadband light absorption, ability to inject electrons to the conduction band of TiO 2 , photochemical stability, and cheap price. , …”

“…This metal-ion-chelating ability reduces the toxic effects from the metal ions in the cells. , Natural eumelanin is also an electronic–ionic hybrid conductor, which can potentially affect the neurotransmission as a biological need . On the basis of these biofunctional roles, it is concluded that natural eumelanin has a wide range of unique physicochemical properties including broadband light absorption (ultraviolet–visible-near-infrared light), free-radical scavenging property, redox activity, metal-chelating capability, and electronic–ionic conductivity. ,, Therefore, natural eumelanin has been experiencing an increasing trend for some applications such as energy storage, ,,− energy conversion, − advanced photocatalysis, − functional polymers, − photothermal therapy, , and water treatment. , …”

Dye-sensitized solar cells using purified squid ink nanoparticles coated on TiO₂ nanotubes/nanoparticles

“…15) Recently, Ueno et al have patented a method of extracting size-controlled ink particles from the ink of a squid 16) and introduced that the ink particles can be used as a porosity of enhancer of titania electrode. 17) The squid ink particles also exhibit paramagnetic properties due to the presence of endogenous free radicals. 18), 19) The hydroxyl and carboxylic functional groups of eumelanin present the possibility that a purified extract of the squid ink pigment may induce strong interactions with the hydroxyl groups of a TiO 2 surface.…”