Performance analyses of dye-sensitized solar cell with various type of electrodes and natural dyes using FTO glass

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are one of the most promising types in photovoltaic technologies. It is the best alternative option for conventional silicon-based solar cells, for their compatibility with low manufacturing cost, best optical and mechanical properties. Also, in the standard condition, it has good indoor conversion efficiency. Photosensitizers and electrodes are playing a significant role in the performance of DSSC. The efficiency of the solar cells decreases due to improper electron transformation in the TiO2 semiconductor layer. In this research, Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) had fabricated and analyzed with various natural dyes such as Raspberries & Pomegranates also with different cathode electrode plates such as carbon & graphite. For enhancing the conversion efficiency the anode plate is coated with mesoporous TiO2 layer and Cuo mixture with TiO2. The characterization for the prepared mesoporous TiO2 and natural dyes has been analyzed using UV-via absorption and FTIR. The experimental observations have been carried with both indoor and outdoor light intensity. The efficiency of mesoporous silica layer coated anode coupled DSSC is 6.7% with short circuit current (Jsc ) of 15.3 mA Cm-2; open-circuit voltage Voc: 0.71V; Fill factor:0.63 under the radiation of 200mW/cm-2. This study shows the additional mesoporous silica layer can enhance the electron transport properties between the anode and cathode region. the presence of CuO leads to decreases in the bandgap energy of the semiconductor. The presence of CuO with TiO2 leads to decrease the bandgap of semiconductor, which increase the DSSC efficiency 4.78% to 6.87%. The observed bandgap was 3.2eV for pure TiO2, 2.60 eV, and 2.52 eV for 3% and 5%, the weight of CuO mixed with TiO2.