DNA Based Electrochromic and Photovoltaic Cells

Abstract

DNA is an abundant natural product with very good biodegradation properties and can be used to obtain gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) with high ionic conductivity and good stability. This report presents results of developed GPE membranes based on DNA. The ionic conductivity results of the DNA-based membranes at room temperature were in the range of 10-3-10-5 S/cm and increased linearly as a function of temperature, obeying predominantly an Arrhenius relationship. The transmittance results in the UV-Vis region revealed transparency of 85-95%. Membranes of DNA with PEDOT, POEA and PB as well as DNA-CTMA and DNA-DODA were also obtained and characterized. High ionic conductivity results combined with transparency and adhesion to the electrodes showed that DNA-based GPEs are very promising materials to be used as solid electrolytes in electrochemical devices. To verify this applicability the membranes were used to obtain small electrochromic devices (ECDs), which were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, charge density and spectroscopic measurements. The obtained results showed a change of color from transparent to blue after potential application. Moreover the DNA was applied in small solar cells giving the conversion efficiency of 2.44%, higher when compared with the similar solar cells without DNA.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA566263

Entities

People

  • Agnieszka J. Pawlicka

Organizations

  • University of São Paulo

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Advanced Materials
  • Alkenes
  • Charge Density
  • Cyanides
  • Electrical Measurement
  • Electrolytes
  • Films
  • Macromolecules
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Organic Light Emitting Diodes
  • Polymers
  • Semiconductors
  • Solar Cells
  • Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Surface Science
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.