Layer-by-layer assembled porous photoanodes for efficient electron collection in dye-sensitized solar cells

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a versatile approach to generate hybrid materials with unique properties. Here, LbL is employed to insert genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage nanowires into a porous polymeric network for efficient dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) photoanodes. Both dip and spray LbL processes can be utilized in fabricating novel porous titanium dioxide (TiO sub(2)) photoanodes that exhibit advantageous electron transport properties, characterized by a longer electron diffusion length compared to the nanoparticle DSSC. Incorporation of the high aspect-ratio M13 bacteriophage, which yields electron percolation pathway and facilitates electron diffusion within the photoanode, is shown to further enhance the efficiency and the diffusion length in DSSCs.