Use of DNA in the fabrication of solid state dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Double stranded calf-thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and elementary adenine DNA base were employed as solid state electrolytes in a dye sensitized nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) solar cell, where the sensitizing dye was Rose Bengal. Depending upon the type of the DNA used, the short circuit currents in the cells increases between 200% and 400%. The stability of adenine based devices was found to be higher than those made of calf-thymus DNAs. Thus self-refueling of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells using DNA has been demonstrated. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.