Activated carbon-based dye-sensitized solar cell for development of highly sensitive temperature and current sensor

Abstract

Activated carbon was produced from coconut shells using steam activation method. The process followed by intermediate pyrolysis performed at 575 °C. The production yields end products as carbon, biofuels and gases. The developed activated charcoal is implemented as counter electrode in demonstrating Dye Sensitised Solar Cell using naturally available sensitizer. In addition, Dye Sensitised Solar Cell based current and temperature sensors were developed for highly remote optoelectronics applications. Anthocyanin dye extracted from pomegranate juice generated maximum current of 10 mA cm−2. The characteristics of the cell was performed with different optic filters wavelength ranging 400–650 nm and the maximum efficiency was developed for wavelength of 445 nm.