Fabrication and characterization of dye-sensitized solar cells using natural dye as sensitizers

Md Ali, Muhammad Safuan (2024) Fabrication and characterization of dye-sensitized solar cells using natural dye as sensitizers. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

Text (Full Text) Fabrication and characterization of dye-sensitized solar cells using natural dye as sensitizers.pdf - Submitted Version Download (3MB)

Abstract

This report presents an experimental method to a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) utilising a mix of Spinacia oleracea and Plumeria rubra, also known as green spinach and the Frangipani plant. DSSCs have emerged as a viable alternative to conventional solar systems due to their low cost, ease of production, and great light gathering qualities. In this study, the petals of Spinacia oleracea, Curcuma longa, Chukandar, and Plumeria rubra were gathered and tested for their ability to absorb visible light in order to determine which of these two natural dye combinations had a wider spectrum than the others. The dye was extracted from the materials, which was then used in UV-Vis spectroscopy. Additionally, three different co sensitized dye combinations were produced by mixing Spinacia oleracea and Plumeria rubra with synthetic dye (N719), and their power conversion efficiencies (PCE) were investigated. The study also explored the influence of two different thicknesses of TiO2 and different glass substrates (ITO and FTO) on the PCE and I-V characteristics of the DSSCs.　The experiments were conducted under the same parameters for annealing temperature and the co-sensitized dye mixture ratio. The findings revealed that Plumeria rubra co-sensitized with synthetic dye (N719) using FTO as the glass substrate exhibited the highest PCE at 0.032352%, while Spinacia oleracea co-sensitized with Plumeria rubra had the lowest PCE at 0.000014%. UV-Vis spectra and I-V characteristics for these eight samples were investigated using G2001A1 Ossila Optical Spectrometer and Ossila solar simulator. This research contributes to the investigation of natural dyes derived from botanical sources for sustainable and environmentally friendly DSSC manufacture, highlighting the potential of Spinacia oleracea and Plumeria rubra as viable alternatives to synthetic dyes in solar cell technology.

Actions (login required)

View Item