The effect of quasi-solid state electrolytes used on Curcuma longa dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency

• Main Authors: Rusliani, Prima F., Prima, Eka Cahya, Suhendi, Endi, Wiendartun
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorbance; Alternative energy; Alternative energy sources; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Dyes; Efficiency; Electrical properties; Electrolytes; Electrolytic cells; Electron transfer; Iodine; Lithium oxides; Molten salt electrolytes; Polyethylene oxide; Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Solid electrolytes; Solid state; Thin films; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0155338

Energy scarcity is a challenge for humans to determine cheap, abundant, and environmentally friendly renewable energy. Renewable energy alternatives can develop in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with photosensitizers extracted from natural materials. The efficiency result from the use of natural is not great as synthetic photosensitizers. The reason for that is the instability of the liquid electrolyte that causes the electron transfer cycle in the process of conversion energy to be disrupted. In this study, DSSC was fabricated using thin-film layer TiO2 as semiconductor photoelectrode, a photosensitizer Curcuma longa (turmeric) and two different electrolytes such as liquid and quasi-solid state electrolytes. The electrolytes have been made from lithium oxide, iodine, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodine, 4-tetra-butylpyridine, and polyethylene oxide Mw = 1 x 106. Sample characterization had carried out using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer to determine the absorbance spectrum of dye and a standard solar simulator AM 1.5 filter 100 mWcm2 to determine curve J-V and its electrical properties. The absorbance spectrum of Curcuma longa lies at a wavelength of 419 nm. The efficiency of DSSC using liquid and quasi-solid state electrolytes are 2.27% and 4.30%, respectively. Therefore, the use of quasi-solid state electrolytes with high conductivity and material stability can improve the performance of DSSC as an alternative to renewable.