Fabrication and Characterization of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Natural Dyes

Sakib Hossen, Ankita Paul, Md. Faruk Hossain
Abstract

This work reflects the fabrication and characterization techniques of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). The DSSCs is one of the foremost promising 3rd generation solar cell due to the greener energy production. The goal of this work was to create a low cost TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a carbon counter electrode and natural dyes as sensitizing agent. The extracted dye components were shown a notable absorbance in between 400nm to 700nm wavelength in UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The photoelectrochemical characteristics of the DSSCs were then characterized under AM 1.5 illumination of solar simulator. The open circuit voltages and short circuit currents density were achieved 0.52 V, 0.44V, 0.345V and 0.531 mA/𝑐𝑚2, 0.267 mA/𝑐𝑚2, 0.31 mA/𝑐𝑚2 for Tradescantia pallida, Jungle geranium, and Catharanthus roseus based DSSCs respectively. Whereas the efficiency was 0.095%, 0.0611%, 0.0528% respectively.

Conclusion

The incorporation of natural pigments in DSSCs has unveiled substantial potential for enhancing solar energy harness. This investigation has expounded upon the intricate nexus between the pigment derived from organic sources, such as Tradescantia pallida (Purple Queen) leaves, Catharanthus roseus (Noyontara) flowers, and Jungle Geranium (Rongon) flowers and the photoelectrochemical performance within the solar cell. The fusion of DSSC, catalysed by the aforenamed pigment, has exhibited notable photovoltaic characteristics. The observed conversion efficiency of 0.095% for Purple Queen leaves-based DSSC, 0.0611% Catharanthus roseus (Noyontara) flowers-based DSSC, and 0.0528% for Jungle Geranium (Rongon) flowers-based DSSC validates the feasibility of employing natural pigments as sensitizing agents in DSSCs. Higher efficiency and stability can be obtained by using solid state electrolyte and Platinum counter electrode. This materials couldn’t be used in this work due to unavailability of these materials in the lab.

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