Optimization, fabrication, and characterization of anthocyanin and carotenoid derivatives based dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

The bracts of Poinsettia, Tamarillo fruit, Annatto seeds, and Pungent Chillies have been used to extract the dyes using ethanol and deionized water. A cocktail of the dyes has been made with equal concentration and will be used as a sensitizer in the proposed dye-sensitized solar cell. The individual and cocktail of the dyes are subjected to FTIR, UV–Visible spectroscopy for the identification of functional groups, and absorption wavelength to find the effectiveness of the dyes for absorption of energy of the photons. From the study, it is found that the sensitizers in the dyes have shown stronger electronic coupling and rapid electron transfer into the conduction band of the TiO2 semiconductor on the FTO substrate. J-V analysis represents photovoltaic characterization of assembled thin film nano-crystalline solar cells. Anthocyanin derivative of Poinsettia bracts attained a photo-sensitized conversion efficiency of 1.74% achieving an overlong lifespan of electrons. Ethanol was chosen for attaining the best energy conversion efficiency owing to its polarity. The presence of phytoconstituents has an impact on the color of the sensitizers and the degradation in the power conversion efficiencies was also monitored. This research examines the parameters that influence the stability of anthocyanin and carotenoid pigments, as well as the solvents required for effective derivative extraction.