Sustainable Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Enhanced with CdS and Natural P. pterocarpum Dye for Dual Energy and Low-Light Sensing: The Synergistic Role of ZnO Nanorods and Natural Dyes

Abstract

This study presents a novel and sustainable approach to dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) design by integrating a natural dye extracted from Peltophorum pterocarpum with CdS co-sensitization and ZnO nanorod-modified TiO₂ photoelectrodes. The fabricated DSSCs were enhanced through the integration of ZnO nanorods on TiO₂ photoelectrodes and further modified with CdS co-sensitization to boost their photovoltaic and photodetection capabilities. The devices were evaluated under a broad range of light intensities (100 to 0.01 mW/cm²), revealing dual functionality: efficient photovoltaic operation under standard illumination and superior sensitivity under ultra-low light. Under standard illumination, the highest efficiency (8.15%) was achieved with N719 dye and ZnO/TiO₂ electrodes. However, the P. pterocarpum-based cells also exhibited competitive performance, reaching 6.92% with CdS and ZnO enhancement. Remarkably, under ultra-low light (0.01 mW/cm²), the natural dye-based DSSCs demonstrated power conversion efficiencies exceeding 18%, rivaling commercial dye systems. These results highlight the synergistic role of ZnO nanorods and CdS in enhancing charge transport and light absorption, while also showcasing the viability of natural dyes for eco-friendly, low-cost optoelectronic applications. This study is among the first to demonstrate the synergistic integration of P. pterocarpum natural dye, CdS co-sensitization, and ZnO nanorods in DSSCs and in this research, sustainable natural dye utilization with structural nanomaterial engineering is uniquely bridged to develop DSSCs capable of dual functionality under both standard and ultra-low light conditions.

Keywords

• Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)
• Peltophorum pterocarpum natural dye
• CdS cosensitization
• Low-light photodetection
• ZnO nanorods with TiO₂ photo electrode

CdS katkısıyla Desteklenmiş Doğal Peltophorum pterocarpum ile Sürdürülebilir Boya Duyarlı Güneş Hücreleri: ZnO Nanorodların ve Doğal Boyaların Enerji Üretimi ve Düşük Işık Algılamadaki Sinerjik Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Peltophorum pterocarpum bitkisinden elde edilen doğal bir boyanın CdS eşduyarlılaştırması ve ZnO nanorod ile modifiye edilmiş TiO₂ fotoelektrotlarla entegre edilmesiyle, boya duyarlı güneş hücresi (DSSC) tasarımına yenilikçi ve sürdürülebilir bir yaklaşım sunmaktadır. Üretilen DSSC'ler, TiO₂ fotoelektrotlara entegre edilen ZnO nanorodlar ve CdS eş-duyarlılaştırması sayesinde hem fotovoltaik hem de fotodetektör performansları açısından geliştirilmiştir. Cihazlar, 100 ila 0.01 mW/cm² arasında geniş bir ışık yoğunluğu aralığında değerlendirilmiş ve bu sayede hem standart aydınlatma koşullarında verimli enerji üretimi hem de ultra düşük ışık seviyelerinde üstün algılama hassasiyeti olmak üzere çift işlevlilik ortaya konmuştur. Standart aydınlatma koşullarında en yüksek verim (%8.15), N719 boyası ve ZnO/TiO₂ elektrotlar ile elde edilmiştir. Ancak P. pterocarpum bazlı hücreler de CdS ve ZnO katkısı ile %6,92’ye ulaşarak rekabetçi bir performans sergilemiştir. Dikkat çekici şekilde, ultra düşük ışık koşullarında (0.01 mW/cm²) doğal boya bazlı DSSC’ler %18’in üzerinde güç dönüşüm verimliliği sağlayarak ticari boyalara rakip olmuştur. Bu sonuçlar, ZnO nanorodlar ve CdS'nin yük taşıma ve ışık soğurma süreçlerini artırmadaki sinerjik rolünü vurgularken, doğal boyaların çevre dostu ve düşük maliyetli optoelektronik uygulamalardaki potansiyelini de gözler önüne sermektedir. Bu çalışma, P. pterocarpum doğal boyasının, CdS eş-duyarlılaştırması ve ZnO nanorodlarla sinerjik entegrasyonunu DSSC yapılarında ilk kez sistematik olarak ortaya koymakta ve sürdürülebilir doğal boya kullanımı ile nanoyapısal mühendislik arasındaki köprüyü kurarak hem standart hem de ultra düşük ışık koşullarında çift işlevli çalışabilen DSSC’lerin geliştirilmesine olanak tanımaktadır.

Keywords

• Boya duyarlı güneş hücresi (DSSC)
• Peltophorum pterocarpum esaslı doğal boya
• CdS yardımcı duyarlılaştırıcı
• Düşük ışık algılama
• ZnO nanorod ilaveli TiO₂ foto elektrot

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