Natural dye extraction from Syzygium Cumini and its potential photovoltaic application as economical sensitizer

Abstract

Solar energy being a vital source of energy for the future generations, it is necessary to make solar cells cost effective. The quest for cost effective and environmental friendly energy source has led to the development of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In the present work we have explored the extraction and optical and electrochemical properties of Syzygium Cumini or commonly known as Jamun. The dye has been successfully used over mesoporous titania (TiO2) as sensitizer in DSSC with polymer electrolyte. The efficiency improved when an additional layer of reduced graphene oxide was embedded prior to TiO2. Overall the photovoltaic parameters suggest that the dye characteristics could be improved to give better efficiency. Furthermore, compared to the cost of the standard Ruthenium N719 dye, the cost of Jamun dye is inexpensive making it a highly economical dye for DSSC.