Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Fabrication Using Methanol Extract of Onion Peel as a Natural Sensitizer

Abstract

Methanol extracts of onion peel waste (Allium cepa) were applied as natural sensitizer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) fabrication. This research investigated the dye characteristics of onion peel extract and its power conversion efficiency. Onion peel extraction was carried out using unacidified methanol extract (UME) and acidified methanol extract (AME). Dye absorption was characterized by UV-Vis Spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 200-800 nm and FT-IR at a wave number of 4000-500 cm-1. The power conversion efficiency of the fabricated DSSC was determined by calculating the voltage and current generated by the multimeter. The red onion peel extracts, both acidified and unacidified methanol, had maximum absorption at UV-Visible range (457, 659 and 662 nm). Onion peel extract has several functional groups such as –OH, C=O, C-O-C, C=C, and C-H aromatics- showing specific absorption corresponding to the anthocyanin structure. A solar energy conversion efficiency of η= 0.0413% was obtained from UME extract with a short circuit current of up to Jsc=0.6031 mAcm-2 and a fill factor of 0.2764.

Aqueous Extract of Onion Peels as A Biowaste-Based Sensitizer for Photovoltaic Cells

“…Therefore, the relatively higher Jsc generated by sensitized cells with unacidified extract of onion peels might be ascribed to its good performance in harvesting solar radiation. The measured power conversion efficiency of unacidified water in our present device is higher than that of our previous photovoltaic cells when unacidified methanol and ethanol were used as extracting solvent (0.0413 and 0.0491 %) (18,19). It was reported elsewhere that anthocyanins are highly soluble in water.…”

“…The present DSSC was prepared according to our earlier study (19). DSSC device was assembled from four main components (photoanode, naturebased sensitizer, electrolyte solution, and auxiliary electrode).…”

Onion Peel Extract/Copper Oxide Nanoparticles as Corrosion Inhibitors for Carbon Steel in Hydrochloric Acid; Extraction, Characterization, Electrochemical Study, and Theoretical Explorations

“…The other peaks that appeared at 1509 and 1460 cm -1 confirmed the presence of ν(C=C) of aromatic compounds, together with δ(CH) of CH 3 group; (C-N) group of different amines/amides and (C−O) group implying the existence of carbohydrates, which are supported at 1088 cm -1 [31]. The peaks appeared at a wavenumber of 1285, 1207, and (1370,1187) cm -1 may be ascribed to the presence of ν(C−O−C) and ν(C−OH) groups of ethers, alcohol, and esters, along with ν(C− O) of carboxylic acids [30,32]. Additionally, the specific band detected at 1207cm -1 contributed to the pyran ring of flavonoids [31].…”

“…The peak at 1162 cm -1 clarifies C−O stretching of the aliphatic ether group or ester [33]. Bending of C−H in the aromatic ring displayed different peaks at wavenumbers of 817, 795, and 635cm -1 [32]. Also, the peaks at 878-932 and 635 pointed to the presence of alkyl halide in the sample [34].…”