Outstanding Photo-bioelectrochemical Cell by Integrating TiO2 and Chlorophyll as Photo-bioanode for Sustainable Energy Generation

Marcelinus Christwardana (Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Indonesia, Jl. Raya Puspiptek Serpong, South Tangerang 15314)
Athanasia Amanda Septevani (Research Centre for Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Kawasan PUSPIPTEK Serpong, South Tangerang 15314)
Linda Aliffia Yoshi (Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Indonesia, Jl. Raya Puspiptek Serpong, South Tangerang 15314)

International Journal of Renewable Energy Development
Vol 11, No 2 (2022): May 2022

Photosynthesis is a technique for converting light energy into chemical energy that is both efficient and sustainable. Chlorophyll in energy-transducing photosynthetic organisms is unique because of their distinctive structure and composition. In photo-bioelectrochemical research, the chlorophyll's quantum trapping efficiency is attractive. Chlorophyll from Spirulina platensis is demonstrated to communicate directly with TiO2-modified Indium Thin Oxide (ITO) to generate electricity without the use of any mediator. TiO2-modified ITO with a chlorophyll concentration of 100 % generated the greatest power density and photocurrent of approximately 178.15 mW/m2 and 596.92 mA/m2 from water oxidation under light among all the other materials. While the sensitivity with light was 0.885 mA/m2.lux, and Jmax value was 1085 mA/m2. Furthermore, the power and photocurrent density as a function of chlorophyll content are studied. The polarizability and Van der Waals interaction of TiO2 and chlorophyll are crucial in enhancing electron transport in photo-bioelectrochemical systems. As a result, this anode structure has the potential to be improved and used to generate even more energy.