Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Fresh and Dried Natural Dyes

Abstract

Different natural dye extracts have been prepared and used as sensitizers in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These dyes have been extracted from both fresh and dried raw materials. The absorption spectra of these dyes have been investigated by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. DSSCs were assembled using TiO2 and ZnO nanostructured, mesoporous films. Photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit current density Jsc, open circuit voltage Voc, fill factor FF, and overall conversion efficiency η for the fabricated cells were determined under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. The immersion time of the nanocrystalline-TiO2 electrode in spinach extract and the temperature at which this process occurs were optimized. The optimal dying temperature is found to be 60 °C and the efficiency of the DSSC is found to saturate to 0.29% after 12 hr of soaking in the dye solution.

Review on natural dye sensitized solar cells: Operation, materials and methods

“…The first DSSC developed was found to absorb visible light up to approximately 800 nm and the energy conversion efficiency exceeding 7%. In the year 2011, the conversion efficiency reported was 11.4% by employing nanostructured semiconductor electrodes [2][3][4]. Recently a conversion efficiency of 13% was reported by Mathew et al [5] by using mesoporous semiconductor electrodes and porphyrin sensitizers.…”

Incorporation of Kojic Acid-Azo Dyes on TiO2 Thin Films for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Applications

“…Sensitizer in the cell absorbs photons and induces excitation of electron to the wide bandgap semiconductor, dyes, and electrolyte [6]. Ruthenium complex is one of the most effective light harvesting sensitizers reported in DSSCs; however, the drawbacks of these ruthenium sensitizers are complicated procedure, limited source, and being expensive, environmentally unsafe, and carcinogenic [7][8][9].…”

Effect of solvents on the extraction of natural pigments and adsorption onto TiO2 for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

“…With two strong absorption peaks in the visible region located at 420 nm and 660 nm wavelengths, it is an attractive compound that can be used as natural sensitizer in the visible light range [23]. The photoelectric conversion efficiencies of DSSCs prepared by chlorophyll dyes from ipomoea, pomegranate, dried spinach, and shiso leaf extracts were 0.31% [24], 0.59% [20], 0.29% [25], and 0.59% [26], respectively. The low conversion efficiencies of these species are caused by the unavailability of bonds between the dyes and TiO 2 molecules [17].…”