Sensitized TiO2 Nanorod Research Articles

In@CdS sensitized TiO2 nano-rod for enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance under visible light

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano-rod are synthesized by one step hydrothermal method while cadmium sulphide (CdS) and Indium (In) doped CdS quantum dots (QDs) are sensitized on the surface of TiO2 nano-rod by using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) approach. Characterization of this material was done using XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, EDX, HR-TEM, Raman, UV-DRS, PL, EPR. XRD pattern attributed that the preferential orientation of TiO2 grains is along the (101) plane perpendicular to the FTO substrate. XRD pattern also reveals the sensitization of CdS QDs in form of hexagonal CdS QDs and doping of In into CdS QDs. FE-SEM analysis suggests that the TiO2 nano-rod are uniform, thick and grown vertically on the FTO plate. Detailed investigations of the ‘In’ sensitization in 2%In-CdS/TiO2 were carried out by HR-TEM studies. UV-DRS analysis shows decrease in the band gap energy as doping of In in CdS/TiO2 nano-rod increases. EPR analysis reveals the presence of oxygen vacancies due to sensitization of ‘In’ on CdS/TiO2 matrix. The photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance of In doped CdS QDs embellished on the surface of TiO2 nano-rod photoanode was investigated by varying the concentration of In. The photo electrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic H2 generation performance under natural sunlight of as prepared photoanode are explored in terms of photocurrent density and amount of H2 generation. 2% In-CdS/TiO2/Pt/FTO nano-rod shows highest 22.12 ml/h/g of hydrogen generation and photocurrent density of 4.78 (mA/cm2).

ZnSe and CdS Co-Sensitized TiO2 Nanorod Arrays as Photoanodes for Bias-Free Solar Hydrogen Evolution.

The efficient charge separation and surface state reactions are significant in enhancing the efficiency of photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution. Herein, we report a ternary heterostructure consisting of CdS/ZnSe sensitized TiO2 nanorod as a photoanode. The heterojunction photoanode considerably widens the photon absorption spectral range and thereby enhances the photocurrent density up to 2 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus RHE which is 10 times higher than pristine TiO2 photoanode. The photoelectrochemical results demonstrate a high photocurrent density of 2 mA/cm2 with a photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 1.5 % at a very low applied bias (0.2 V vs RHE). The improved PEC performances of the multidimensional hybrid photoanode could be ascribed to the efficient visible-light absorption of ZnSe and CdS nanocrystals decorated on the surface of 1D TiO2 . The rapid electron-transfer properties owing to higher carrier density, low carrier transport resistance, and an extended lifetime of photoexcited carriers in the multidimensional ZnSe/CdS/TiO2 heterostructure with suppressed surface charge recombination are responsible for enhanced hydrogen evolution activities.

Remarkable photoelectrochemical activity of titanium dioxide nanorod arrays sensitized with transition metal sulfide nanoparticles for solar hydrogen production

The synthesis of a cost-effective and efficient catalyst is vital for accelerating the rate of photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. Here, titanium dioxide nanorods sensitized by nickel sulfide, cadmium sulfide, and zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS/CdS/NiS@TiO2) were developed as a photoanode material via a hydrothermal process followed by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction. The morphological analysis of ZnS/CdS/NiS@TiO2 revealed the nanorods (TiO2) phase in which NiS, CdS, and ZnS nanoparticles are distributed homogeneously. The photoelectrochemical performance analysis of ZnS/CdS/NiS@TiO2 furnished a maximum photocurrent density of 6.1 mA/cm2, which is 7.6 times higher than that of pure TiO2 (0.8 mA/cm2). Additionally, the sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays as a photoanode show high photoelectrochemical hydrogen production of 491.52 μmol/cm2, which is 4.9 times higher than that of pristine TiO2 (99.61 μmol/cm2) over 6 h under simulated solar irradiation. These results suggested the potential for the synthesis and usage of novel hybrids of TiO2 nanorods decorated with transition metal chalcogenides for efficient photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.

Photoelectrochemical sandwich immunoassay of brain glycogen phosphorylase based on methyl orange-sensitized TiO2 nanorods.

The photoelectrochemical immunoassay of glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB) was studied. A methyl orange/TiO2 nanorod heterojunction was constructed on a fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode by hydrothermal synthesis, calcination, and chemical adsorption. A sandwich immune structure consisting of GPBB as the first antibody, GPBB, and a CdS@mesoporous silica-ascorbic acid (AA)-GPBB as secondary antibody composite was constructed on each of the selected well surfaces of a 96-well microplate. By adding mercaptoethylamine to structurally destroy the secondary antibody composite and release the electron donor AA, the amplification of photocurrent, and thus the "off-on" photoelectrochemical biosensing of GPBB were realized. The use of the 96-well microplate provides good reproducibility of the assembled immune structures and eliminates the possible effect of the photogenerated hole-induced protein oxidation on the photocurrent. The relevant electrodes and materials were characterized by electrochemistry, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and BET method. Under the optimal conditions, the photocurrent was linear with the logarithm of GPBB concentration from 0.005 to 200ngmL-1 and with a limit of detection of 1.7pgmL-1 (S/N = 3). Satisfactory results were obtained in the analysis of real serum samples. A sandwich immune structure consisting of GPBB first antibody, GPBB, and a CdS@mesoporous silica-ascorbic acid (AA)-GPBB secondary antibody composite was constructed on each of the selected well surfaces of a 96-well microplate. By adding mercaptoethylamine to structurally destroy the secondary antibody composite and release the electron donor AA, the amplification of photocurrent, and thus the "off-on" photoelectrochemical biosensing of GPBB were realized.

The Preparation of AgBiS2 Sensitized TiO2 Nanorod Array Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Performance of the Corresponding Solar Cells

In this paper, AgBiS2 was prepared on a TiO2 nanorod array via sequential spin-coating 5 mM AgNO3 in DMF, 5 mM Bi(NO3)3 in DMF and 10 mM Na2S in methanol/water (v/v, 95/5) by successive ionic layer absorption and reaction (SILAR) at room temperature. The effect of SILAR cycle times, C11H23COOH surface modification, and spiro-OMeTAD:P3HT application on the photovoltaic performance of the AgBiS2 sensitized solar cell was systematically investigated. The optimal SILAR cycle time for preparing the AgBiS2 sensitized TiO2 nanorod array was 20. The AgBiS2 sensitized solar cell exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.56% with a 20 cycle time, 0.70% with C11H23COOH surface modification and 0.91% with spiro-OMeTAD:P3HT.

Highly luminescent nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of N doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) sensitized TiO2 nanorods (NRs) have been studied. NGQDs have been prepared by using a facile and low temperature solvothermal process. TiO2 NRs have been grown on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate using hydrothermal method. The microstructure, chemical bonding and optical properties of the NGQDs have been investigated in details. The NGQDs are highly crystalline with an average diameter of ~8 nm and demonstrate excellent excitation dependent photoluminescence (PL). The PEC properties of TiO2 NRAs have been studied after attachment of NGQDs at different loading times and optimum performance has been obtained at one hour. The photoresponse and PEC performance of TiO2 NRs have been boosted significantly after the attachment of NGQDs. The photoconversion efficiency (η%) and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of NGQDs sensitized TiO2 NRs has been improved by 85.3% and 89.4%, respectively compared to pristine TiO2 NRs. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) at nanorods/electrolyte junction has been decreased by 56.5% compared to pristine nanorods under white light illumination. In this study, the role of NGQDs as a green photosensitizer with TiO2 NRAs has been explored in detail.

Surface properties of chlorophyll-a sensitized TiO2 nanorods for dye-sensitized solar cells applications

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2 nanorods have recently achieved improvement by tuning surface polarity with the help of chlorophyll-a dye. Additionally, we have successfully explored the effects of surface free energy, oxygen defect concentration, micro strain, surface morphology, chemical composition, photoluminescence, and surface properties of chlorophyll-a sensitized TiO2 nanorods. Sensitization on TiO2 nanorods has been tested with photoelectrochemical performance, and the resulting surface shows a superhydrophobicity with CA = 154 ± 30 while oxygen defect is reduced to 2.7228 × 1021 cm−3. The surface free energy has been successfully studied with the help of Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble (OWRK) and the wetting envelope model. A sensitized system of chlorophyll-a and TiO2 nanorods for the DSSC application presents a maximum of 3.69 times PEC improvement under 1000 W light illumination.

Photoelectrochemical and photosensing study of nitrogen doped carbon nanoparticles sensitized TiO2 nanorods

Nitrogen doped Carbon Nanoparticles (NCNPs) were synthesized using a thermal pyrolysis method. NCNPs are crystalline in nature with diameter ranges from size 9–36 nm. Optical absorption study revealed two major peaks. The sharp peak at 220 nm is attributed to π → π* transition in aromatic sp2 CC bonds and the broad peak at 300–400 nm corresponds to n → π* transition in C=O/C=N bonds. NCNPs are highly luminescent and demonstrated excitation dependent green photoemission under 340-500 nm photoexcitation. TiO2 nanorods (TiO2 NRs) were grown on Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates using hydrothermal method. Photoelectrochemical properties of pristine TiO2 NRs and NCNPs sensitized TiO2 NRs has been studied in detail. NCNPs sensitized nanorods demonstrated superior photoconversion efficiency (η) of 1.37% and incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 80% at 340 nm.

Influence of N‐Butyldithiocarbamic Acid Content on the Properties of Sb2S3 Sensitized TiO2 Nanorod Arrays and Photovoltaic Performance of the Corresponding Solar Cells

AbstractIn this paper, Sb2S3‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays are successfully prepared by the spin‐coated and then pyrolysis (denoted as spin‐pyrolysis) of Sb2S3 precursor solution in N‐Butyldithiocarbamic acid‐ethanol (Sb‐BDCA complex solution). The influence of precursor solution content with different mole ratios of N‐Butyldithiocarbamic acid to Sb3+ (6, 8 and 10, denoted as BDCA‐6, BDCA‐8 and BDCA‐10, respectively) on the crystalline phase, optical absorption and microstructure of the Sb2S3‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays have been investigated systematically. By adjusting the BDCA to Sb3+ mole ratios, the superior preferred orientation of the (211) plane for Sb2S3 was obtained. The results revealed that the Sb2S3‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays for BDCA‐8 showed the best conductivity and the corresponding solar cell achieved the best PCE of 5.43 % with the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.53 V, short‐circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 17.19 mA cm−2 and fill factor (FF) of 59.21 %. After the Sb2S3 sensitized TiO2 nanorod array was modified by lauric acid, the PCE of the corresponding solar cells increased from 5.43 % to 5.77 %.

Fabrication of Sb2S3 sensitized TiO2 nanorod array solar cells using spin-coating assisted successive ionic layer absorption and reaction

Sb2S3 was successfully deposited on the TiO2 nanorod arrays with the length of 600 nm, the diameter of 20 nm and the areal density of 520 μm−2 by step-by-step spin-coating the SbCl3 solution in methanol and the Na2S solution in methanol/water (v/v, 95/5) via successive ionic layer absorption and reaction. Then the Sb2S3 sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays were annealed at 300 ℃ for 6 min in an N2 atmosphere. The corresponding solar cells with spiro-OMeTAD achieved the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 3.76%, along with the open-circuit voltage of 0.55 V, the short-circuit photocurrent density of 11.26 mA⋅ cm-−2 and the fill factor of 0.61.

Introduction of polysulfide anions to increase the loading quantity of PbS quantum-dots for efficient solid-state quantum-dot sensitized TiO2 nanorod array solar cells

To increase the loading quantity of PbS quantum-dots, the polysulfide anion (S22−) was firstly introduced in successive ionic layer absorption and reaction process to prepare PbS quantum-dot thin films on TiO2 nanorod arrays. The influence of polysulfide anion (S22−) concentrations in the precursor solution on the deposition of PbS quantum-dot thin films was systematically investigated and the photovoltaic performance of the corresponding solid-state PbS quantum-dot sensitized solar cells with spiro-OMeTAD was evaluated. The loading quantity and crystallinity of PbS quantum-dots increased with the increase of polysulfide anion (S22−) concentrations from 0 to 1 mM and 2 mM. When the polysulfide anion (S22−) concentration was 1 mM and the surface of TiO2 nanorod arrays was modified by 3-mercaptopropionic acid, the optimal photoelectric conversion efficiency of 4.75% was achieved, along with the open-circuit voltage of 0.56 V, short-circuit photocurrent density of 13.00 mA cm−2 and fill factor of 64.8%. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of 4.75% was relatively high in solid-state PbS quantum-dot sensitized solar cells using successive ionic layer absorption and reactions.

ZnS passivated PbSe sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays to suppress photocorrosion in photoelectrochemical solar cells

Harmonized effect of TiO2 and PbSe on the photoconversion efficiency of semiconductor sensitized solar cells (SSSCs) is studied. Rutile TiO2 nanorods (NRs) grown by hydrothermal method provides remarkably high surface area, superior injection and charge collection efficiency. TiO2 NRs are sensitized by PbSe using chemical bath deposition (CBD) and ZnS layer where ZnS acts as a surface passivation layer grown by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. Photoelectrodes made up of sensitization can absorb the ultraviolet (UV) as well as the visible region of the solar spectrum efficiently. Synthesized photoelectrodes were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), optical and solar cell performances. FESEM images of the photoelectrodes illustrate uniform coverage of PbSe over TiO2 NRs increases with increasing deposition time. The ZnS layer avoids the recombination of charge carriers. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) study is carried out using an optimized device structure i.e. Glass/FTO/TiO2/PbSe/ZnS/Polysulphide/Pt/FTO/Glass. Under AM 1.5 G illumination, the T18-PbSe2-ZnS3 photoelectrode shows 0.34% photoconversion efficiency demonstrate lead chalcogenides have potential applications in solar cells.

Ce-doped CdS quantum dot sensitized TiO2 nanorod films with enhanced visible-light photoelectrochemical properties

Ce-doped CdS quantum dot (QD) sensitized TiO2 nanorods films on FTO substrates are for the first time prepared by a combination of hydrothermal and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The physicochemical properties of as-prepared samples are examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet–visible spectrometry (UV–vis). The as-prepared Ce-CdS QD sensitized TiO2 nanorods photoelectrodes is applied into photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells to investigate their PEC properties, including the photocurrent density and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), which exhibit a maximum 1.4-time enhancement in photocurrent density and 1.6-time enhancement in IPCE value, compared with undoped photoelectrode. Furthermore, a maximum 1.4-time higher formic acid yields was obtained in a versatile photoanode-driven PEC CO2 reduction system. The results of electrochemical analysis show that the Ce-CdS QDs/TiO2 photoelectrodes exhibit an increased visible light absorbance, a higher carrier density, a longer electron lifetime and more effective separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. This is most probably due to the existence of Ce 4f electronic states in the mid-gap region of Ce-CdS QDs, which is confirmed by a simple theoretical calculation and a redox couple Ce3+/Ce4+ accelerating the photogenerated holes migration. The study demonstrates that the variable valency Ce-doping may be a promising approach to achieve high photoelectric conversion efficiency for chalcogenides semiconductors.

Pb/S/1,2-ethanedithiol composite thin films for efficient solid-state quantum-dot sensitized TiO2 nanorod array solar cells

The Pb/S/1,2-ethanedithiol composite thin films were successfully deposited on TiO2 nanorod arrays by spin-coating step-by-step 5 mmol dm−3 Pb(NO3)2, Na2S and 1% 1,2-ethanedithiol solution and their chemical compositions can be easily adjusted by changing the concentration of Na2S solution from 5 to 3.5 mmol dm−3 and 2 mmol dm−3. The average crystal sizes of Pb/S/1,2-ethanedithiol quantum-dots decreased from 7.9 to 7.1 nm and 6.5 nm with the decrease of the concentration of Na2S solution and the chemical bonding of Pb2+ and S in EDT was chelation of the penta-heterocycle in Pb/S/1,2-ethanedithiol composite thin films. All solid-state Pb/S/1,2-ethanedithiol composite thin film sensitized TiO2 nanorod array solar cells using 5, 3.5, 2 mmol dm−3 Na2S solution exhibited the photoelectric conversion efficiency of 2.68, 3.41 and 4.51% under the illumination of simulated AM 1.5 sunlight (100 mA cm−2).

PbICl precursor solutions for all solid-state PbS quantum-dot sensitized TiO2 nanorod array solar cells using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method

In this work, PbICl precursor solution in N,N-dimethylformamide was successfully applied to deposit PbS quantum-dots on TiO2 nanorod arrays by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method (SILAR). The influence of PbI2, PbBr2, PbICl precursor solution on the morphology, crystal size and optical absorption of PbS quantum-dots was investigated and the photovoltaic performance of the corresponding solid-state PbS quantum-dot sensitized TiO2 nanorod array solar cells with spiro-OMeTAD was evaluated. The average crystal sizes of PbS quantum-dots were 9.0 nm of PbI2, 8.6 nm of PbBr2 and 8.4 nm of PbICl and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the corresponding solar cells achieved 2.63%, 3.00%, 3.45%. The result revealed that PbICl precursor solution was superior to PbBr2 and PbI2.

Visible light responsive CdS sensitized TiO2 nanorod array films for efficient photocatalytic reduction of gas phase CO2

Abstracts In this letter, an effective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 by using CdS-Cu2+/TiO2 nanorod array films photocatalyst under visible light was studied. TiO2 nanorod array films were prepared by the hydrothermal method, after which Cu2+ ions and CdS quantum dots (QDs) were deposited on the TiO2 nanorod arrays using the ultrasonic-assisted sequential cation adsorption method and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method respectively. The composition, morphology and optical property of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The loading amount of CdS QDs was regulated by controlling the deposition cycles which demonstrates correspondingly optical behaviors. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by reduction of gas-phase CO2 to estimate the ethanol yield under various operating parameters, including the CdS QDs concentration, CO2 flow rate and reaction temperature. The experiment results showed that when the SILAR method cycle deposition was two, the reaction product yield reached the maximum, and the ethanol yield was 109.12 μmol/g-cat h at a flow rate of 4 mL/min and under the reaction system temperature of 80 °C. The highly efficient photocatalytic activities of CdS-Cu2+/TiO2 nanorod array films in the reduction process of CO2 were attributed to the combination of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure with decorating Cu2+ ions and CdS QDs, which restrain recombination of the electron hole pairs and broaden the visible-light response. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism was discussed to understand the experimental results over the CdS-Cu2+/TiO2 nanorod array films.

化学浴制备全固态Sb2S3敏化TiO2纳米棒阵列太阳电池研究

化学浴制备全固态Sb2S3敏化TiO2纳米棒阵列太阳电池研究

Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance by Surface Modification of TiO2 Nanorods with Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS)

Modification of TiO2 nanorods through the addition of aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) for enhancement of efficiency of solar cells has been studied. Synthesis of TiO2 nanorods was conducted through two major stages of mechanochemical and hydrothermal refluxing at a temperature of 120 °C for 24 hours on various concentration of NaOH. Material characterizations were performed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourrier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Mechanochemical treatment by ball milling showed that the TiO2 phase changed from anatase into brookite and it decreased of TiO2 crystals size. Morphology transformation of TiO2 to form TiO2 nanorods was showed by rod-shaped from TEM micrographs which are characteristic of the nanorods. FTIR spectra confirmed that amine group of aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) were successfully grafted onto the TiO2 nanorods surface. Sensitization of TiO2 used Ruthenium complexes N3 (N3=cis-bis(isothiocyanato) bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato ruthenium (II)) were able to increase the uptake of TiO2 material to the visible region due to the absorption of visible light by N3 complex-APTMS. Sensitized TiO2 nanorods were prepared for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSCs) photoanode. The maximum results of the DSSCs (Dye Sensitized Solar Cell) performance was showed that TiO2 material modified by 10 % (v/v) APTMS capable increase efficiency of DSSCs.

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance of CdS sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays decorated with Au nanoparticles as electron sinks

In this paper, we propose a nanostructure with Au nanoparticles (NPs), as electron sinks, located at the most outside layer of CdS sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays (TiO2 NRAs/CdS/Au). By the introduction of Au NPs, TiO2 NRAs/CdS/Au performs higher visible light photocatalytic capacity in the degradation of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine wastewater than TiO2 NRAs/CdS. The optimal deposition time for Au NPs is 30 s. The visible light induced degradation ability of TiO2 NRAs/CdS/Au (30 s) is 1.4 times that of TiO2 NRAs/CdS. The cycling stability of TiO2 NRAs/CdS is greatly enchanced after Au NPs decoration, which can maintain 95.86% after three cycles. Photoluminescence spectra and photoelectrochemical measurements were carried out to reveal the underlying mechanism for the improved visible light photocatalytic capacity of TiO2 NRAs/CdS/Au. This work demonstrates a promising way for the rational design of metal-semiconductor photocatalysts used in decomposition reaction that can achieve high photocatalytic efficiency.

Effect of solvents in the extraction and stability of anthocyanin from the petals of Caesalpinia pulcherrima for natural dye sensitized solar cell applications

Anthocyanin, a flavonoid pigment is responsible for wide range of coloration in petals of flowers and fruits, absorbs broad range of visible light. This makes them suitable to be used as dyes for DSSC. But, the efficiency of natural dyes is not up to the mark mainly due to anthocyanin instability. The stability issues in vitro are mainly due to the effect of solvents on extraction of anthocyanins and their respective pH. Taking this factor into consideration, in the present work, the anthocyanins were extracted from the flower Caesalpinia pulcherrima (C. pulcherrima) with various solvents and their respective stability and pH values are discussed. The usage of citric acid as solvent to extract anthocyanin has shown good stability than other solvents. It also helps in enhancing the sensitization properties of anthocyanins with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods. The IPCE spectra show higher photovoltaic performance for dye sensitized TiO2 nanorods using citric acid as solvent. The natural DSSC using citric acid as solvent shows a higher efficiency of 0.83% compared to other solvents. Hence citric acid performs to be a safe solvent for natural DSSC in boosting the photovoltaic performance and maintaining the stability of anthocyanins.