Natural plant Trifolium pratense, Mirabilis jalapa and Bassia scoparia extract used as photosensitizer in dye sensitized solar cell

Abstract

The environmental challenges motivated researchers to replace conventional energy sources with clean and green energy. The Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) is fabricated from environmentally friendly material, however, its efficiency is less than the 1st generation solar cells. In this study, the extract from natural plants such as i) Trifolium pratense ii) Mirabilis jalapa, and iii) Bassia scoparia (Kochia scoparia) are used as a photosensitizer in the DSC. These extracts contain a different class of colorants (dye) specifically betalains, chlorophyll, and anthocyanins. The efficiencies of as-prepared DSC using these dyes were measured and compared with each other. The highest efficiency of 0.18% was recorded in DSC using Bassia scoparia extract. The efficiency of DSC using Trifolium pratense and Mirabilis jalapa extract was 0.15% and 0.05% respectively. The photoanodes of DSCs were characterized using UV Visible spectroscopy, PL emission spectroscopy, and FT-IR. The Bassia scoparia extract was found to give better light absorption, photon emission, and sticking capability with TiO2 as compare to Trifolium pratense and Mirabilis jalapa. These natural dyes have never been reported for fabrication of DSC.