Performance of Natural Carotenoids from Musa aromatica and Citrus medica var Lemon as Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with TiO₂ Nanoparticle

Abstract:

Several natural dyes have been extracted from tropical fruit shells such as Musa aromatica and Citrus medica var Lemon fruit shells. The resulting dyes have been used as sensitizer at dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The main pigments, which are carotenoids, was obtained by extraction and purification at dark room. Ethanol and water are used as solvents. The dyes have been characterized through UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The thin film of TiO₂ anatase has been sintered at 450°C to enhance film compactness. According to the experimental results, the DSSC conversion efficiency which has been prepared by carotenoid dye from Musa aromatica fruit shell extract is 0.21%, 0.614 V of open-circuit voltage (V_OC), 0,280 of short-circuit current density (J_SC) mA/cm², 56 μW of maximum power (P_max) and 0.43 of fill factor (FF). Then, the DSSC conversion efficiency which has been prepared by carotenoid dye from Citrus medica var Lemon fruit shell extract is 0.05%, 0.460 V of V_OC, 0.093 mA/cm² of J_SC, 14 μW of P_max and 0.44 of FF. The measurement of I-V curve demonstrated that carotenoid was potential component as sensitizer for DSSC.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 789)
• Pages: 167-170
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.789.167
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Cahya Prima Eka, Brian Yuliarto, Suyatman Suyatman
• Keywords: Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC), Natural Carotenoid, Photosensitizer, Purification

References

[1] M. Gratzel: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, vol. 4, (2003), p.145–153.

[2] M.K. Nazeeruddin, E. Baranoff, and M. Gratzel: Journal of Solar Energy, vol. 85, (2011), pp.1172-1178.

[3] D. Pei, and J. Luan: International Journal of Photoenergy, vol. 10, (2012), pp.1-13.

[4] E. Bae, and W. Choi: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 110, (2006), p.14792–14799.

[5] H. Zhou, L. Wu, Y. Gao, and T. Ma: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, vol. 219, (2011), p.188–194.

[6] M.R. Narayan: Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 16, (2012), pp.208-215.

[7] R.B.H. Wills, T.H. Lee, W. B Glasson and D. Graham. Postharvest and Introduction to the Physiology and Handling Fruit and Vegetables. (Van Nostand, New York 1989).

[8] B. Yuliarto, W. Septina, K. Fuadi, F. Fanani, L. Muliani, and Nugraha: Journal of Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, (2010), pp.1-6.

DOI: 10.1155/2010/789541

[9] W.H. Lai, Y.H. Sub, L.G. Teoh, and M.H. Hon: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, vol. 195, (2007), p.307–313.

[10] K.V. Hemalatha, S.N. Karthick, C.J. Raj, N.Y. Hong, S.K. Kim, and H.J. Kim: Journal of Ectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, vol. 96, (2012), p.305–309.

DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2012.05.027

[11] T.S. Senthil, N. Muthukumarasamy, D. Velauthapillai, S. Agilan, M. Thambidurai, and R. Balasundaraprabhu: Journal of Renewable Energy, vol. 36, (2011), pp.2484-2488.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.01.031

[12] S. Hao, J. Wu, Y. Huang, and J. Lin: Journal of Solar Energy, vol. 80, (2006), p.209–214.

[13] N.M.G. Ortı´z, I.A.V. Maldonado, A.R.P. Espadas, G.J.M. Rejo´n, J.A.A. Barrios, and G. Oskama, G: Journal of Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 94, (2009), p.40–44.

[14] K. Hara, and H. Arakawa, in: Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, edited by A. Luque, and S. Hegedus, (England: Wiley, 2003).

[15] A. Raturi, and Y. Fepuleai, Y: Journal of Renewable Energy, vol. 35, (2010), p.1010–1013.