Fabrication, Optimization and Characterization of Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

The dyes extracted from pomegranate and berry fruits were successfully used in the fabrication of natural dye sensitized solar cells (NDSSC). The morphology, porosity, surface roughness, thickness, absorption and emission characteristics of the pomegranate dye sensitized photo-anode were studied usi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2017-01, Vol.7 (1), p.41470-41470, Article 41470
Main Authors: Ghann, William, Kang, Hyeonggon, Sheikh, Tajbik, Yadav, Sunil, Chavez-Gil, Tulio, Nesbitt, Fred, Uddin, Jamal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Absorption spectroscopy
Dyes
Electrodes
Fabrication
Fruits
Graphite
Humanities and Social Sciences
Illumination
multidisciplinary
Photovoltaic cells
Porosity
Recombination
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Short-circuit current
Solar cells
Spectroscopy
Voltage
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Summary:The dyes extracted from pomegranate and berry fruits were successfully used in the fabrication of natural dye sensitized solar cells (NDSSC). The morphology, porosity, surface roughness, thickness, absorption and emission characteristics of the pomegranate dye sensitized photo-anode were studied using various analytical techniques including FESEM, EDS, TEM, AFM, FTIR, Raman, Fluorescence and Absorption Spectroscopy. Pomegranate dye extract has been shown to contain anthocyanin which is an excellent light harvesting pigment needed for the generation of charge carriers for the production of electricity. The solar cell’s photovoltic performance in terms of efficiency, voltage, and current was tested with a standard illumination of air-mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5 G) having an irradiance of 100 mW/cm 2 . After optimization of the photo-anode and counter electrode, a photoelectric conversion efficiency ( η ) of 2%, an open-circuit voltage ( Voc ) of 0.39 mV, and a short-circuit current density ( Isc ) of 12.2 mA/cm 2 were obtained. Impedance determination showed a relatively low charge-transfer resistance (17.44 Ω) and a long lifetime, signifying a reduction in recombination losses. The relatively enhanced efficiency is attributable in part to the use of a highly concentrated pomegranate dye, graphite counter electrode and TiCl 4 treatment of the photo-anode.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/srep41470