Natural photosensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells

Mohamad, Souad A. and Alaei, Iraj and Sopyan, Iis (2013) Natural photosensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research (IJRER), 3 (1). pp. 138-143. ISSN 1309-0127

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Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were constructed by using the Lawsonia inermis leaves, Sumac/Rhus fruits, and Curcuma longa roots as natural sensitizers of anatase-based nanostructure TiO2 thin film Paint-coated on ITO conducting glass. The orange-red Lawsone, red purple anthocyanin and yellow Curcumin are the main components in the natural dyes obtained from these natural products. A blend of 50 wt% chitosan and 50 wt% polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used as a solid state thin film electrolyte. The polymer blend was complexed with ammonium iodide (NH4I) and some iodine crystals were added to the polymer–NH4I solution to provide I-/I3- redox couple. The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte is 1.18x10-5 S cm-1 at room temperature. Structural and optical properties of the semiconductor thin films were characterized by X-ray diffractometer and UV-VIS spectrophotometer respectively. The XRD shows nanocrystalline structures for TiO2 thin films (D=13nm). The photovoltaic properties of the cell have been studied and the best overall solar energy conversion efficiency of 1.5% was obtained, under AM 1.5 irradiation, with the red purple Sumac/Rhus extract, that showed a reasonable current density (Jsc = 0.93 mA/cm2).

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	2600/36129
Uncontrolled Keywords:	natural photosensitizers, DSSCS, solid state electrolyte, photovoltaic;solar energy
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) > T175 Industrial research. Research and development
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr. Souad Al-Bat'hi
Date Deposited:	28 Mar 2014 09:03
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2017 09:16
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/36129

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