The transport of photo-generated electrons across TiO2 electrode is one of bottlenecks limiting energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been attracted massive attention in improving photoelectron mobility in photoelectrode of DSSC, because of their high conductivity (1). To improve photoelectron transport efficiency, we synthesized a SWNT-TiO2 nanocomposite using genetically modified cage-shaped protein without functionalization of SWNTs (2). The protein supramolecule could selectively deposit titanium onto SWNT surface by their SWNT-binding and Ti-mineralization activities. After sintering the SWNT-titanium hybrid, we obtained TiO2-coated SWNTs consisted of a central SWNT and surrounding mesoporous TiO2 layer with nano-pores derived from the protein (Figure a). The DSSC with SWNT-TiO2 nanocomposite showed a power conversion efficiency of 6.5% (Figure b). A small amount of the nanocomposite in photoelectrode increased for 180% Jsc and decreased for 30% a series resistance, respectively. Those results suggested that additional the SWNT-TiO2 nanocomposite acted as a superior electron transfer path-way and improved electron mobility in the photoelectrode. Figure 1. <img src='https://acs-archive-assets2.s3.amazonaws.com/241nm/uploads/68464_figure_1.jpg' alt='' /> Figure. (a) SEM image of SWNT- TiO2 nanocomposite. (b) J�V curve of DSSC with the nanocomposite.(1) Dang, X.; Yi, H.; Ham, M.-H.; Qi, J.; Yun, D. S.; Ladewski, R.; Strano, M. S.; Hammond, P. T.; Belcher, A. M. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2011 , 6, 377.(2) Inoue, I.; Zheng, B.; Watanabe, K.; Ishikawa, Y.; Shiba, K.; Yasueda, H.; Uraoka Y.; Yamashita, I. Chem. Commun., 2011 , 47, 12649.

Protein-based synthesis of carbon nanotube-titana hybrid to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

245th National Meeting (2013)

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