Studies on the development and performance of natural dye-sensitised solar cell

ABSTRACT

Dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) have gained popularity as a cost-effective alternative to silicon-based solar cells. The present study, provides a unique approach for the construction of DSSCs using anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as the photoelectrode material and natural fruit extracts (blackcurrent and pomegranate) as photosensitisers. To generate a compact and homogenous TiO₂ anatase layer, nanoparticles are deposited onto a transparent conducting fluorine-doped tin oxide glass. Subsequently, natural fruit extracts were added to the TiO₂ anatase film, functioning as photosensitisers to absorb sunlight and start the electron transfer process. Each fruit extract unique chemical makeup adds to the absorption of various wavelengths, widening the DSSC's light absorption spectrum. A thin graphite coating was applied to a conducting material for the generation of a counter electrode, which completes the DSSC structure. The sensitised TiO₂ anatase layer and counter electrode are joined together, with a redox electrolyte filling the gap between them. Current–voltage measurements used to characterise the manufactured DSSC during simulated solar irradiation. The DSSC's efficiency was calculated as 0.4–18% based on the produced photocurrent and incident light intensity. The study’s finding shows that a DSSC can be successfully fabricated because of its low manufacturing cost and low harmful. It has wide applicability in renewable energy sectors.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• TiO₂ nanoparticles
• sol-gel method
• natural dye
• DSSC
• efficiency

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers.