USE OF PLANT PIGMENTS EXTRACTED FROM Euphorbiacotinifolia LEAF FOR DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL (DSSC)

Abstract

Natural dyes are environmentally and economically superior to silicon-based dyes because they are nontoxic and cheap. In this study, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using natural dyes as light harvesting materials. The natural dyes were extracted from Euphorbia cotinifolia leaf under acidic condition with water and ethanol. The extracts showedan absorption peak in the UV-visible region between 400-700nm with an absorption wavelength at 413nm, and 665nm for acidified distilled water and 408nm, 531nm and, 665nm for acidified ethanol. The FTIR analysis showed absorption peaks, ranging from 3360 to 1203 cm-1for ethanol extract and 2925 to 1312 cm-1for water extract. Theseextracts were used as light harvester in the prepared DSSCs. The photo-electrochemical performance of the solid state DSSCs showed fill factors (FF) of 30% and 40%, open circuit voltages (VOC) is 0.34V and 0.72V, short circuit current densities (JSC) is 0.03A/cm2 and 0.08A/cm2, for acidified water and ethanol respectively. At maximum light intensity the maximum power conversion efficiency (η) of the prepared Solid State DSSCs obtainedby dye extract with water was 0.13% and 0.42% for ethanol dye extract respectively. The sensitization performance related to interaction between the dye and TiO2 surface is discussed. Keywords: solar, energy, dye-sensitized, photovoltaic cells