International Journal of Photoenergy
Volume 2019 (2019), Article ID 4384728, 9 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4384728

Research Article

Performance Improvement of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell- (DSSC-) Based Natural Dyes by Clathrin Protein

Prihanto Trihutomo,1,2 Sudjito Soeparman,¹ Denny Widhiyanuriyawan,¹ and Lilis Yuliati¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, Malang 65145, Indonesia
²Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Malang, Jl. Semarang 5, Malang 65145, Indonesia

Correspondence should be addressed to Prihanto Trihutomo; prihanto.trihutomo.ft@um.ac.id

Received 14 November 2018; Accepted 16 April 2019; Published 9 June 2019

Academic Editor: Giulia Grancini

Copyright © 2019 Prihanto Trihutomo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a solar cell device that works using electrochemical principles in which sensitive dyes are absorbed in the TiO₂ photoelectrode layer. The problem of DSSC-based natural dyes is the lower efficiency than silicon solar cells. This low efficiency is due to the barrier of electron transfer in the TiO₂ semiconductor layer. In this study, the addition of clathrin protein to the TiO₂ layer was used to increase electron transfer in the semiconductor layer resulting in improved DSSC performance. Clathrin is a protein that plays a role in the formation of transport vesicle membrane in eukaryotic cells. The method used in this study is clathrin protein with a concentration of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% added to TiO₂ in DSSC structure. Photovoltaic characteristics of DSSC were measured using a data logger to determine the performance of DSSC, layer morphology was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the element content in DSSC was analyzed using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and functional groups in DSSC layers were analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The result of this study is the addition of clathrin protein can improve DSSC performance, which resulted in the highest performance of DSSC on 75% clathrin protein addition with , , and . From the results of SEM analysis, it appears that clathrin protein molecules fill the cavities in TiO₂ molecules. EDS analysis shows an increase in carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus content in TiO₂ layers with increasing clathrin protein concentration. FTIR analysis shows an increasingly sharp absorption in the FTIR spectrum of protein-forming functional groups by increasing clathrin protein concentration in DSSC.

1. Introduction

An interesting development of solar cell technology today is that of solar cells developed by O’Regan and Grätzel in 1991 [1]. They introduced a new type of photochemical solar cell which is a type of solar cell exciton, that is, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell is very cheap to be prepared and environmentally friendly, and the structure of thin films is light compatible with automatic manufacturing [2].

This solar cell consists of a layer of nanoparticles deposited in a dye that functions to capture photon light (using a type of synthetic dye such as ruthenium complex or organic dye), conductor glass, electrode, and electrolyte counters, which are often also called Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) [2].

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a solar cell device that works using the electrochemical principle in which dye that is sensitive to visible light is absorbed in the TiO₂ photoelectrode layer. This dye will capture the energy of the photons which comes from light, then captured energy will be converted into electrical energy through a series of electron transfers in its layer [1].

The problem of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell is the efficiency that is still low compared to silicon solar cells [3]. The efficiency of DSSC uses natural dyes about 0.89% [4], while the efficiency of silicon solar cells is approximately 20% [5]. Low efficiency is due to a high level of recombination of free electrons with oxidized dye molecules [6]. One that causes high levels of recombination is the limitation of electron transfer in TiO₂ layers. The low transfer of electrons is due to less optimal contact between particles. Low electron transfer will cause electrons to be trapped at the boundary between TiO₂ particles. Furthermore, electrons trapped at this grain boundary result in higher recombination opportunities [7].

Improved performance on DSSC can be done by deposition or addition of nanosized particles in the structure of the semiconductor layer. Previous research has been done to improve the performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell such as Hu (2017) did by depositing Ag nanoparticles [8], Chava (2017) doping indium nanoparticles [9], Chou et al. adding bamboo charcoal powder particles in TiO₂ [10], Kuang et al. adding Li⁺ [11], and Arifin et al. adding Zn⁺ particles [4].

Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of clathrin addition to the performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell-based natural dyes. In this study, efforts to improve performance by adding clathrin protein to Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell that will fill the cavity or gap between TiO₂ particles so that the contact between TiO₂ particles becomes optimal and reduce the electron trapping in the grain boundaries of TiO₂ particles so that the electron recombination level decreases because barrier in electron transfer process between TiO₂ particles can be reduced result in improved DSSC performance.

Clathrin is found in every cell in the human body, animals, and plants as an important gate-keeper. Clathrin is a protein that plays an important role in the formation of the vesicle layer. Clathrin protein is used to build small vesicles to transport molecules in cells. Vesicles allow cells to communicate, transfer nutrients, import signaling receptors, mediate immune responses after taking extracellular samples, and clean up cell debris left behind by tissue inflammation. Clathrin is a three-legged protein with unique and relevant self-assembling properties in transport vesicle membrane formation in eukaryotic cells. This protein is shaped like a tripod: three leg spindles are joined together on one hub/shaft. Clathrin is composed of three clathrin heavy chain having a molecular weight of 180 kD and three clathrin light chain having a molecular weight of 30 kD-40 kD. Clathrin molecules easily combine with each other to form a honeycomb-like lattice on the cell surface. The combination of the clathrin lattice is formed in sizes ranging from 30 nm to 100 nm from about 36 clathrin molecular units consisting of 108 heavy chain clathrin and 108 light chain clathrin. When the right molecule attaches to clathrin, the lattice structure of clathrin will wrap it in a pouch-like shape. This clathrin bag or pouch will take the molecule to its intended place [12]. The clathrin protein scheme is shown in Figure 1.

(a) Clathrin

(b) Clathrin combination

Figure 1: Clathrin protein [13].

Clathrin plays an important role in the cell transportation system; this function caused clathrin to bind ions. The ability of clathrin to bind ions will give clathrin the ability to conduct electrons. Examples of ions that can bind clathrin are positive ions in iron [14].

Clathrin has a unique special ability to assemble itself. Clathrin will assemble itself into a skeletal structure that is useful in atoms and molecules. It can also infiltrate into multipurpose structures that stimulate the formation of complex molecules. Clathrin has been applied to various biotech materials as substrates. The materials that have been successfully added to clathrin are graphene, polymer, glass, and metal [15].

Figure 2 shows the application of clathrin on various materials. From the study of Schoen [16], it is known that clathrin can be bound to titanium dioxide, cobalt oxide, and gold. Titanium dioxide is a semiconductor material in DSSC [16].

Figure 2: Application of clathrin on various materials [15].

2. Materials and Methods

The method used in this study is the experimental method to experimentally test the effect of adding clathrin protein to the performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell.

First, the preparation of materials and equipment is carried out, namely, the provision of clathrin protein from cow brains, TiO₂ paste, chlorophyll dye solution from papaya leaves, iodide/triiodide electrolyte solutions, FTO conductor glass, and carbon counter electrodes.

After that, the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell assembly is carried out.

The technique used in this study is to add a clathrin protein in the structure of DSSC. The amount of clathrin protein which is added in DSSC based on the percentage of clathrin to the TiO₂ is, namely, 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells were assembled as follows: TiO₂ paste was applied to the conductor glass surface using a doctor blade technique with a polishing area which functions as the active area of the solar cell. The active area of DSSC is an effective area on FTO conductor glass that absorbs light and is the place area for the DSSC structure layer and also connects directly the working electrode conductor glass and electrode counter [17]. Then, the conductor glass which has been coated with TiO₂ is burned in the furnace by setting the temperature at 450°C for 1 hour to enhance the bonding between the TiO₂ paste and the conductor glass and also grow pores on TiO₂, after which it is soaked in chlorophyll dye solution for 24 hours.

Then, clathrin protein and electrolyte solution are dripped on the layer. Furthermore, carbon counter electrodes are placed on top of TiO2, dye, clathrin, and electrolyte solutions according to the sandwich structures where each end is offset by 0.5 cm for electrical contact. After all these steps, solar cells are ready to be tested. Tests are carried out on solar cells in the form of measurements of current and voltage using a data logger to determine the performance of solar cells, SEM testing to determine the surface layer morphology, EDS testing to determine the elemental content of solar cells, and FTIR testing to determine the functional groups formed in the DSSC layer.

Figure 3 shows the structure of a fabricated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell structure consists of several parts, namely, Fluorine Tin Oxide conductor glass as working electrode substrate, TiO₂ semiconductor material, clathrin protein from cow brain, natural chlorophyll dye from papaya leaves, iodide/triiodide electrolyte solution, carbon material as catalyst, and Fluorine Tin Oxide glass as counter electrode.

Figure 3: Structure of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell.

The mechanism of DSSC with the addition of clathrin can be seen in Figure 4. Light provides energy to the electrons contained in the dye so that the electrons are excited to the conduction band of the TiO₂ semiconductor. Clathrin protein added to DSSC fills the gap or cavity between TiO₂ molecules can be acidic and basic at the same time. Acidic clathrin protein will capture electrons from oxidized dye molecules, and when it is basic, it will release electrons to TiO₂. In this case, clathrin has a function as an electron bridge between dye and TiO₂ as well as between TiO₂ nanoporous particles thereby reducing the recombination of free electron with oxidized dye molecules. After the electron passes the TiO₂ layer, it passes through the working electrode. Subsequently, the electron flows to the load before entrance to the counter electrode. Furthermore, these electrons are captured in a reduction reaction by electrolyte solutions. Finally, the oxidation reaction in electrolyte produces electrons to fill the hole left by the electron in the dye. This mechanism continues as a cycle to generate electricity in DSSC.

Figure 4: Mechanism of DSSC with the addition of clathrin.

Electric current and voltage on DSSC are generated by irradiation using halogen lamps in solar simulators, then changes in the current and voltage generated are measured using a data logger to determine the performance of DSSC. Schematically, the research installation is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Research installation scheme.

The research equipment installation in Figure 5 consists of a solar simulator which is a place to provide lighting to the DSSC so as to produce the current and voltage to be measured to determine the performance of the DSSC. The solar simulator is 300 mm in length, 300 mm in width, and 500 mm in height. The solar simulator equipment has a 1000 W/m² intensity halogen lamp to provide lighting, UV and IR filters to produce visible light, and temperature sensors, intensity sensors, and fan that function to maintain a constant temperature. Current and voltage data generated in the DSSC are measured using the Arduino Uno ATmega328 data logger microcontroller.

The stages of data retrieval are as follows: the equipment is set according to Figure 5.

Then, the DSSC is placed in the middle with the distance to the illumination lamp set so that the intensity is 1000 W/m². Then, the lamp is turned on so that the current and voltage arise from the DSSC. The DSSC varied the percentage of clathrin protein content to TiO₂, namely, 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%. Current and voltage data obtained are then transferred to the computer to calculate the efficiency.

The results of the calculation of current, voltage, and efficiency of each DSSC are then made graphs and tables for analysis.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Surface Morphology of DSSC

SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis is aimed at determining the characteristics of the surface morphology of the DSSC layer. Figures 6(a)–6(d) are a morphology of DSSC with variations in the percentage of clathrin to TiO₂ that is 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of the results of SEM analysis with a magnification of 2500x.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 6: Morphology of 2500x magnification DSSC in various clathrin percentages: (a) 0%; (b) 25%; (c) 50%; (d) 75%.

Figure 6(a) displays SEM images of TiO₂ nanomaterials that have been coated on FTO glass. It is seen that the surface of the TiO₂ thin layer is hollow or porous. The cavity in the thin layer serves to adsorb dye molecules on TiO₂ [18]. But with the presence of these cavities, the electron transfer between TiO₂ molecules becomes inhibited; this causes DSSC performance to be low.

From the results of SEM photos, Figures 6(b)–6(d) appear to increase the concentration of additional molecules from protein deposition to TiO₂, the cavity or pore between TiO₂ molecules decreases. In Figure 6(a), there are still many cavities between TiO₂ molecules. In Figures 6(b)–6(d), with the increasing concentration of protein molecules that are deposited, the cavity appears to be decreasing, indicating that protein molecules fill the cavities between TiO₂ molecules. This can be proven from the EDS results which show an increase in the number of molecules deposited in TiO₂ molecules.

The presence of molecules deposited from this protein functions as a bridge for the electron transport to the anode to become faster because proteins are electrolytes [19]. The existence of this electron bridge can reduce recombination thereby increasing the performance of DSSC.

3.2. Content of DSSC Elements

Characterization of DSSC layers using EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) is used to determine the composition of elements in a sample surface. Figures 7(a)–7(d) and Table 1 show the element content in DSSC with the percentage of clathrin 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 7: EDS spectra of DSSC in various clathrin percentages: (a) 0%; (b) 25%; (c) 50%; (d) 75%.

Table 1: Element content of DSSC in various clathrin percentages.

Element
Weight (%)

0%
25%
50%
75%

Carbon
1.414
2.881
7.741
10.499

Oxygen
41.559
45.223
46.831
47.24

Sodium
0.429
0.616
1.777
0.962

Phosphorus
—
0.16
1.648
2.345

Chlorine
0.325
0.565
1.128
1.547

Titanium
48.751
47.647
38.585
35.007

Tin
7.522
2.908
2.29
2.401

From EDS spectra as shown in Figure 7, the results of the analysis on DSSC layers obtained data on the composition of the elements contained in the DSSC layer which can be seen in Table 1. In Table 1, for 0% clathrin in DSSC, it can be seen that there are 48.751% Ti elements and 41.559% O elements. The presence of Ti and O elements indicates the formation of TiO₂ compounds, whereas the presence of element C is an element in chlorophyll. The presence of elements of Na, Cl, and Sn is an element found in FTO glass.

Figures 7(b)–7(d) and Table 1 show data from DSSC that were clathrin protein deposited. From the figure and table, there is an appearance of a new element, phosphorus. Phosphorus is one of the protein-forming elements, other than the elements carbon and oxygen [20]. With the increasing protein content added to DSSC, the elements of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus are also increasing.

The elements of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus in TiO₂ can function as an electron transfer connector in porous TiO₂ structures. Carbon compounds that form a hexagonal layer of three electrons are used to form a covalent bond with the nearest C atom, while the fourth electron is a free electron that moves through the surface of the layer. This free electron causes the carbon material to conduct electric current [21]. Phosphorus which has five valence electrons is a donor or an n-type doping agent. The fifth electron from the donor is not bound anywhere and can conduct electric current [22], whereas oxygen is an electron acceptor [23], which will capture the electrons produced from dye.

With the presence of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus elements in TiO₂, the charge from dye can be captured by the molecules of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus and then can rapidly be passed on to the next TiO₂ particles. This phenomenon causes the charge delivery distance to be shorter so that the electric current can be increased and improve the DSSC performance.

3.3. Function Group of DSSC

FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) testing was carried out to determine the functional groups formed in the DSSC layer due to the addition of clathrin protein. FTIR test results for each clathrin protein addition concentration can be seen in Figure 8.

Figure 8: Function groups in DSSC for various percentages of clathrin.

From the results of FTIR testing, it can be known that the functional groups formed in the DSSC layer. Figure 8 shows the appearance of peaks in the wavenumber 3300-3500 cm⁻¹ which indicates the presence of N-H amine/amide groups. Next appears the peak at the wavenumber 3200-3600 cm⁻¹ which shows the presence of O-H hydrogen bond/phenol groups. From Figure 8, it is also known that a peak appears in the wavenumber 1610-1680 cm⁻¹ which indicates the presence of a C=C alkena group. Furthermore, it is known that the peak appears in the wavenumber 1500-1600 cm⁻¹ which indicates the existence of the C=C aromatic ring group. From Figure 8, a peak also appears at wavenumbers 1500-1570 cm⁻¹ and 1300-1370 cm⁻¹ which indicates the presence of NO₂ groups or nitro compounds. Then, it is also known from Figure 8 that a peak appears at the wavenumber 1050-1300 cm⁻¹ which indicates the presence of a C-O alcohol group [24].

The presence of N-H amine, C-O, O-H, alkene, aromatic, and nitro compound groups shows the presence of amino acid constituent groups. Amino acids are protein constituent compounds [25].

The amino acid constituent functional groups can increase the electron transfer process in the DSSC layer because amino acids can act as acids (donating protons in strong bases) and can act as bases (accepting protons from strong acids) [26].

From Figure 8, it appears that the higher the clathrin concentration on TiO₂, the sharper absorption will occur in the wavenumber of the FTIR spectrum for the constituent groups of proteins.

3.4. DSSC Performance

Current, voltage, and efficiency measurements are aimed at determining the performance of each DSSC as shown in Figure 9 for DSSC with clathrin percentages of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%. The performance of DSSC depends on the value of , , FF, and efficiency. Changes in , , and FF values and their efficiency can be seen in Table 2.

Figure 9: DSSC - curve.

Table 2: Comparison of DSSC performance characteristics.

DSSC (%)
(mA)
(mV)
FF
(%)

0
0.353
562
0.238
0.047

25
0.917
590
0.302
0.164

50
2.643
624
0.313
0.516

75
5.247
657
0.425
1.465

Testing the efficiency of DSSC with the addition of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% clathrin protein was carried out by measuring the current-voltage (-) curve under the halogen lamp irradiation of 1000 W/m². The characteristics of DSSC are evaluated by short circuit current (), open circuit voltage (), Fill Factor (FF), and energy conversion efficiency () as can be seen in Table 2.

From Figure 9 and Table 2, it appears that the addition of clathrin protein will improve the performance of DSSC; this can be seen from the increase in the value of current, voltage, and efficiency of DSSC. The highest current, voltage, and efficiency values in DSSC with 75% clathrin protein addition are short circuit current (), open circuit voltage (), and efficiency () of 5247 mA, 657 mV, and 1465%.

The performance improvement in DSSC is caused by the addition of clathrin protein to DSSC which can function as an electron bridge between porous TiO₂ molecules thereby reducing the barrier that occur in the electron transfer process and resulting in improved performance from DSSC.

4. Conclusions

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell- (DSSC-) based natural dyes added with clathrin were successfully made. Addition of clathrin protein to DSSC will fill cavities between TiO₂ molecules causing a reduction in the cavity between TiO₂ molecules so that the transfer of electrons between TiO₂ molecules becomes faster and reduces the recombination rate of electrons. The addition of clathrin protein can function as an electron bridge which reduces the barrier to the transfer of electrons between TiO₂ molecules. Addition of clathrin protein to DSSC also increases the elements of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus contained in DSSC. The presence of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus elements in TiO2 causes the charge delivery distance to be shorter so that the electric current can be increased. Addition of clathrin protein to DSSC causes increasingly sharp absorption of clathrin protein constituent functional groups. The addition of 75% clathrin protein to DSSC can improve the performance of DSSC with the highest , , and efficiency values equal to 5247 mA, 657 mV, and 1465%.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan- Kementerian Keuangan Republik Indonesia: Beasiswa Unggulan Dosen Indonesia-Dalam Negeri (BUDI-DN) No. 20161141011775-Kementerian Riset Teknologi Dan Pendidikan Tinggi Republik Indonesia.

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