Development of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Using Eco-Friendly Dyes Extracted from Natural Resources

Abstract:

In this study, we investigated the photovoltaic efficiency of DSSC (Dye Sensitized Solar Cell) using five different organic dyes extracted from natural sources namely Gomphrena globosa, Syzygium cumini (fruit and leaf), Crocus sativus, Caesalpinia sappan and Rubia cordifolia. Commercially obtained TiO₂ powder, coated over the conducting glass substrate was used as the photo anode and the same coated with carbon soot was used as the photo cathode. UV spectrophotometer and photoluminescence spectrophotometer were used to characterize the dyes to find their absorption and emission maxima respectively. X-Ray diffractometer was used to characterize the TiO₂ electrode film. SEM analysis was also carried out to study the surface morphology. The life and efficiency of DSSC can be improved by studying the dye absorption process and the thickness, size and shape of TiO₂ coating. Thus, low cost solar cells can be developed with significant power conversion efficiency.Key words: TiO_2, DSSC, natural dyes, ITO glass slides, carbon soot, sintering.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1086)
• Pages: 68-74
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1086.68
• Online since: February 2015
• Authors: Sophia Selvarajan, J. Jerry, Arun Dakshinamurthy, A. Ramasubbu, P. Mosae Selvakumar*
• Keywords: Carbon Soot, DSSC, ITO Glass Slides, Natural Dye, Sintering, TiO₂

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