Developments of photo-anode materials for dye-sensitized solar cell using natural sensitizer of Portulaca grandiflora flower soaked Titania nanocrystalline and nanofiber

Abstract

In this work, we report the development of low-cost natural dye-sensitized Titania (TiO2) nanocrystalline (NCs) and nanofiber (NFs) based photo-anode materials for solar cell applications. Titania NCs and NFs were prepared by the hydrothermal method followed by the Electrospinning processes. As prepared Titania photo-anode materials were characterized by various techniques like HR-TEM & SEM image, powder X-ray diffraction pattern, FT-IR, UV–Visible spectral analysis, and electrochemical impedance studies. HR-TEM and SEM image analysis were used to observe the surface morphology of the formation of Titania in nanocrystalline and nanofiber natures. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern exhibited TiO2 NCs in semicrystalline nature and NFs in amorphous nature and their anatase crystalline phase appeared in (101) and (002). FT-IR spectral analysis was used identified that the TiO2 NCs and NFs functional groups of Ti-O-Ti stretchingand Ti-OHbending vibrations in the range of 560 and 3420 cm−1. UV–Visible spectroscopy was observed in the absorption maximum (546 nm) of Table rose leaf extract in TiO2 NFs. The highest electrical conductivity of TiO2 NFs was achievedin the range of 2.49 × 10-3 S/cm by EIS studies at room temperature. Table rose leaf extract was used as the sensitizer, the dye-sensitized solar cell was assembled with liquid electrolyte (I-/I3-) and platinum as a counter electrode, and TiO2 NFs photo-anode was given the highest efficiency of 0.77 %.