Environmentally friendly luminescent solar concentrators based on an optically efficient and stable green fluorescent protein

abstract

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are a solution to overcome the mismatch between solar cell absorption and the solar spectrum, facilitating the integration of photovoltaic (PV) devices into the urban environment, since they can be incorporated in building facades and windows. Challenges include the search for environmentally friendly materials with chemical and optical stabilities. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was efficiently applied as an optically active center. eGFP absorbs in the UV/visible range and converts it into green emission with a maximum absolute quantum yield of similar to 0.50. Here, we report the use of eGFP to fabricate planar LSCs in the liquid (aqueous solution) and solid state (incorporated in organic-inorganic hybrids), which were coupled to commercial Si-based PV cells yielding power conversion efficiency values of up to similar to 0.35%. These results are higher than the figures of merit for naturally-based fluorescent proteins in aqueous media, with the advantage of presenting enhanced photostability when stored under ambient conditions. These are relevant features, uncommon in organic-based materials, which significantly contribute to the potential of naturally-based molecules in the development of LSCs as reliable, sustainable and competitive energy systems.

keywords

EMISSION QUANTUM YIELDS; ENERGY-TRANSFER; NOISE BARRIER; FUSION PROTEINS; PURIFICATION; PERFORMANCE; HYBRIDS; PHOTOSTABILITY; CELL; BRIGHTNESS

subject category

Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics

authors

Carlos, CPA; Correia, SFH; Martins, M; Savchuk, OA; Coutinho, JAP; Andre, PS; Nieder, JB; Ventura, SPM; Ferreira, RAS

our authors

acknowledgements

This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, (UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020), the Instituto de Telecomunicacoes (UIDB/50008/2020-UIDP/50008/2020), the INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (CCDR-N, via project Nanotechnology based functional solutions (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000019), the Solar-Flex (CENTRO-01-0145- FEDER-030186), and SusPhotoSolutions (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000005), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership through European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the frame of Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme (POCI). L. S. F. from CICECO is gratefully acknowledged for the synthesis of the hybrid sample. M. Martins thanks FCT for the doctoral grant SFRH/BD/122220/2016.

Share this project:

Related Publications

We use cookies for marketing activities and to offer you a better experience. By clicking “Accept Cookies” you agree with our cookie policy. Read about how we use cookies by clicking "Privacy and Cookie Policy".