Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis as a natural photosensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell

• Published in: Algal research (Amsterdam) 2017-09, Vol.26, p.15-24
• Main Authors: Orona-Navar, A., Aguilar-Hernández, I., Cerdán-Pasarán, A., López-Luke, T., Rodríguez-Delgado, M., Cárdenas-Chávez, D.L., Cepeda-Pérez, E., Ornelas-Soto, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astaxanthin; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Haematococcus pluvialis; Photoelectric conversion efficiency; Primary purification
• ISSN: 2211-9264; 2211-9264
• DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.06.027

An extract of photosynthetic pigments from Haematococcus pluvialis was evaluated as sensitizer for solar cells. Nutrient-stressed H. pluvialis was cultured in a modified WC medium and harvested in the mature aplanospore stage. A crude extract was obtained and purified by column chromatography, rendering a primary purified extract (PPE). A comparison between PPE and a pure astaxanthin standard (AS), applied as sensitizers to TiO2 film photoelectrodes, was carried out. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was assembled under a sandwich scheme, where the photoelectrode faced the platinum counter electrode and an iodide electrolyte solution was between them. Photoelectric conversion efficiency was measured using a solar simulator under a single sunlight intensity (100mWcm−2). The photoelectrode sensitized with PPE showed higher efficiency (0.1%), fill factor (0.72), open circuit voltage (0.449V) and short circuit current density (0.313mA/cm2) than those with AS. The increased efficiency obtained using a PPE was attributed to a broader absorption range in the visible region, as well as the thorough internalization and distribution of the molecules in the mesoporous semiconductor (TiO2). Results indicated that the use of semi-purified extracts allows time and costs reduction of the production process for dye-sensitized solar cells applications. [Display omitted] •An astaxanthin extract from H. pluvialis was evaluated as a solar cell sensitizer.•A primary purified extract (PPE) was compared with pure astaxanthin standard (AS).•Photocurrent efficiencies were 0.1% and 0.036% for PPE and AS, respectively.