Application of Conjugated Chlorophyll from Natural Dye (<i>Imperata cylindrica</i>) to Apply in Hybrid DSSC as Third Generation Solar Energy

Abstract

High performances of Hybrid Dye Sensitized Solar Cell are necessary in absorbing more sunlight and needed renewable energy source to replace depleted fossil fuels via green energy. Hybrid DSSC is another promising option towards green energy to explore. This research aims, i) to study conjugated chlorophyll in order to increase charge carrier in molecule structure besides, increase the absorption spectrum via conjugating process with the addition of different amount Ferric (III) Chloride (FeCl3) acting as catalyst and, ii) to determine the effect of FeCl3 on the performance of conjugated dye as sensitizers in Hybrid DSSC. The conjugated chlorophyll shows a using UV-Visible analysis corresponding to conjugated chlorophyll absorbed in high region called red shifted which the maximum absorption obtain at a wavelength of 360nm and 311nm. Fourier Transform Infra-Red characterization of the an existing Fe-O bond appears at 430 cm-1 to 445 cm-1 and C≡C bond at 2244 cm-1 to 2260 cm-1. 10% FeCl3 in conjugated chlorophyll produce huge impact to electrical conductivity and efficiency with the highest value; 0.114 S/cm and 0.14%; respectively. Thus, it can be conclude that 10% FeCl3 of conjugated chlorophyll – Imperata cylindrica (iCHLO-IC) was suitable to be used for the next generation of hybrid DSSC.