Performance of E. conferta and G. atroviridis fruit extracts as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Abstract

Natural dyes extracted from Eleiodoxa conferta and Garcinia atroviridis were used for the first time as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Anthocyanin was identified as the main pigments that sensitize the semiconductor of TiO2 film. Anthocyanin pigment contains hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in the molecule that can attach effectively to the surface of TiO2 film. The optical characteristics of the extracted dye and photovoltaic performance of the cells were studied. The extracts showed UV–vis absorptions in the range of 530–560 nm with broad maxima absorption at ~ 430 nm. FTIR spectra of extraction revealed the presence of anchoring groups. For E. conferta, the photovoltaic performance of the sample with 3.16-μm-thick TiO2 produced the best results with open-circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and energy conversion efficiency (ɳ) values of 0.37 V, 6.56 mA/cm2, 0.49, and 1.18%, respectively. The best photovoltaic performance for G. atroviridis was also obtained from the sample with 3.16-μm-thick TiO2 with VOC, JSC, FF, and ɳ values of 0.35 V, 3.74 mA/cm2, 0.65, and 0.85%, respectively.