Abstract
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/cm2. 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/cm2 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 TiCl4 treatment of the photo-anode.
Highlights
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) has the potential to convert photons from sunlight to electrical energy at 13% efficiency[13]
The attachment of the anthocyanin containing dye onto TiO2 has been suggested to have an effect on the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of anthocyanin, which decreases the band gap resulting in a redshift of the absorption peak[23]
Dye extract from pomegranate fruit was utilized as the light-harvesting analog in the fabrication of a low cost, eco-friendly dye-sensitized solar cell
Summary
DSSC has the potential to convert photons from sunlight to electrical energy at 13% efficiency[13]. Anthocyanins are polyphenolic ring-based flavonoids widely known for their antioxidant properties[20] They differ from other flavonoids by the presence of a positive charge in the central ring structure and are responsible for the intense colors of other fruits and vegetables such as the berries and red cabbages[20]. They have been shown to display a wide absorption/emission band in the UV-Visible region of the spectrum as a result of electron charge transfer transitions[16,21]
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