Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell using Hamelia Patens leaves as natural dye

Abstract

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), a 3rd generation solar cell has gained huge attention in the field of solar photovoltaics as a substitute for the silicon solar cell. The performance of the DSSC mainly depends on all the important components such as transparent conductive oxide substrate, cathode, photo-anode, dye, and electrolyte. Additionally, sensitizing dyes also perform a vital role in the absorption of light and the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy in DSSC. However, its efficiency is low and it consumes good amount of energy in manufacturing. In this respect scientists and researcher are more focus on how to improve its efficacy and production cost to make it economically viable. For this purpose, in this present work we have the natural dyes from Hamelia patens plant’s leaf which is available throughout the year for the fabrication of DSSC at low temperature. Semiconductor film electrode, ZnO has been synthesized via. chemical bath deposition process, which is anchored on the FTO glass substrate. Various characterizations techniques such as UV-vis absorption, FTIR were done for the extracted natural dye. XRD and FE-SEM were also performed for crystallinity and morphological analysis of ZnO material. XRD data reveals the formation of hexagonal ZnO (JCPDS card no. 01-082-9744 where 2θ° at 31.799, 34.454, 36.289, 47.586 corresponds to (100), (002), (011), (012) respectively). Using the ZnO and natural dyes, a sandwiched type DSSC has been fabricated and various parameter such as power conversion efficiency, Voc (open circuit voltage), Isc (short circuit current) has also been measured for continuous 3 days. DSSCs which is fabricated by using natural dye extracted from Hamelia patens leaves (sample 1) shows Voc = 132.2 and Isc = .065 mA.