Functionalization of Congo red dye as a light harvester on solar cell

Harsasi Setyawati,Faidur Rochman,Handoko Darmokoesoemo,Irmina Kris Murwani,Ahmadi Jaya Permana

doi:10.1515/chem-2020-0034

Harsasi Setyawati, Faidur Rochman + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/chem-2020-0034

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Abstract

AbstractThe demands of ecofriendly technologies to produce a reliable supply of renewable energy on a large scale remains a challenge. A solar cell based on DSSC (Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell) technology is environmentally friendly and holds the promise of a high efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. This manuscript describes the development of a light harvester system as a main part of a DSSC. Congo red dye has been functionalized with metals (Fe, Co, Ni), forming a series of complexes that serve as a novel light harvester on the solar cell. Metal-congo red complexes have been characterized by UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. The performance of metal complexes in capturing photons from sunlight has been investigated in a solar cell device. The incorporation of metals to congo red successfully improved of the congo red efficiency as follows: Fe(II)-congo red, Co(II)-congo red and Ni(II)-congo red had efficiencies of 8.17%, 6.13% and 2.65%, respectively. This research also discusses the effect of metal ions on the ability of congo red to capture energy from sunlight.

Highlights

The demands of ecofriendly technologies to produce a reliable supply of renewable energy on a large scale remains a challenge
The number of ligands which is bind to the metal was calculated by determining the mole ratio of metal and ligand using mole ratio methods,[17], as follows: Stoichiometry of metal complexes is determined by the mole ratio method, using the wavelength of maximum absorbance of the congo red ligand A solution of the appropriate metal ion was made with a constant number of moles, while solutions of congo red were made with a variation of the number of moles
Functionalization of congo red was achieved by the formation of Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes

Summary

Introduction

Abstract: The demands of ecofriendly technologies to produce a reliable supply of renewable energy on a large scale remains a challenge. A solar cell based on DSSC (Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell) technology is environmentally friendly and holds the promise of a high efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. This manuscript describes the development of a light harvester system as a main part of a DSSC. Waste dyes such as rhodamine B, congo red, naphthol blue black and methyl orange were successfully used as a light harvesters in solar cells [9]. A promising way to improve the efficiency of solar cells in via the addition of metal ions In this context, congo red is considered as a ligand. The solar cell device consisted of a thin layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a semiconductor, graphite as a counter electrode, potassium tri-iodide (KI3) solution as an electrolyte solution and FTO (Fluorine-doped tin oxide) glass as solar cell body

Determination of ratio mole metal to ligand

Preparation of the complexes

Results and discussion

Conclusions