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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Engineering Photosystem I Complexes For Use In Bio-Hybrid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Richard Franklin Simmerman
Engineering Photosystem I Complexes For Use In Bio-Hybrid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Richard Franklin Simmerman
Doctoral Dissertations
Increasing global population, growing per capita energy needs, diminishing fossil fuels, and climate change collectively will require new, innovative, and sustainable alternatives to meet the world’s growing energy needs. One of the most promising yet simple approaches are dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, conventional DSSCs use semi-conductor anodes sensitized with complex synthetic organometallic dyes. Most dyes utilize ruthenium complexes to absorb photons, which upon excitation, inject electrons into the anode, while holes migrate to the cathode via liquid electrolyte. However, these dyes are expensive, difficult to make, and resource-limited. This dissertation focuses on replacing synthetic dyes with the naturally occurring, …