Natural Photosensitizers for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Year 2013, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 138 - 143, 01.03.2013

Souad Ali Al-bat'hi İraj Alaei İis Sopyan

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).

Keywords

natural photosensitizers; DSSCS; solid state electrolyte; photovoltaic;solar energy

References

• Y Chiba, A. Islam, Y. Watanabe, R. Komiya, N. Koide, L.Y. Han, “Dye-sensitized solar cells with conversion efficiency of 11.1%”, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 45 L638- L640, (2006).
• R. Buscaino, C. Baiocchi, C. Barolo, C. Medana, M. Gratzel, Md.K. Nazeeruddin, “A mass spectrometric analysis of sensitizer solution used for dyesensitized solar cell”, Inorg. Chim. Acta 361798-805, (2008).
• G. Zhang, H. Bala, Y. Cheng, D. Shi, X. Lv, Q. Yu, P. Wang, “High efficiency and stable dye-sensitized solar cells with an organic chromophore featuring a binary _- conjugated spacer”, Chem. Commun. 2198-2200, (2009).
• G. Calogero, G.Di. Marco, “Red Sicilian orange and purple eggplant fruits as natural sensitizers for dye- sensitized solar cells”, Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C 92 1341- , (2008).
• K. Wongcharee, V. Meeyoo, S. Chavadej, “Dye- sensitized solar cell using natural dyes extracted from rosella and blue pea flowers”, Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C 91 571, (2007).
• M.S. Roy, P. Balraju, M. Kumar, G.D. Sharma, “Dye- sensitized solar cell based on Rose Bengal dye and nanocrystalline TiO2”, Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C 92 909- , (2008)
• Z.-S. Wang et al. “Photophysical and (photo) electrochemical properties of a coumarin dye”, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 3907-3914, (2005).
• Z.-S. Wang, Y. Cui, K. Hara, Y. Dan-oh, C. Kasada, A. Shinpo, “A high-lightharvesting- efficiency coumarin dye for stable dye-sensitized solar cells”, Adv. Mater. 19 1141, (2007).
• Z.-S. Wang, Y. Cui, Y. Dan-oh, C. Kasada, A. Shinpo, K. Hara, “Thiophenefunctionalized coumarin dye for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells: electron lifetime improved by coadsorption of deoxycholic acid”, J. Phys. Chem. C 111 7224-7230, (2007).
• Z.-S. Wang, Y. Cui, Y. Dan-oh, C. Kasada, A. Shinpo, K. Hara, “Molecular design of coumarin dyes for stable and efficient organic dye-sensitized solar cells”, J. Phys. Chem. C 112 17011-17017, (2008).
• R.C. Agrawal and G.P. Pandey, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., 41 223001, (2008).
• R. K. Nagarale, W.Shin and P.K. Singh, Polym. Chem., 1 388, (2010).
• S.A. Mohamad, M.H. Ali, R. Yahya, Z.A. Ibrahim and A.K. Arof, Ionics 13, 235, (2007)
• O’Regan, B. & Gra¨ tzel, M.. Nature, 353,737, (1991).
• M. K.Nazeeruddin, , Kay, A., Rodico, I., Humphry- Baker, R., Muller, E., Liska, P., Valachopoulos, N., & Gra¨ tzel, M., J. Am. Chem. Soc.,115, 6382, (1993).
• F., Cao, Oskam, G., & Searson, C., J. Phys. Chem., , , 17071, (1995).
• W., Kubo, Murakoshi, K., Kitamura, T., Wada, Y., Hanabusa, K., Shirai, H., & Yanagida, S. Chem. Lett., , (1998).
• M., Matsumoto, Miyazaki, H., Matsuhiro, K., Kumashiro, Y., & Takaoka, Y. Solid State Ionics89, 263, (1996).
• Mikoshiba, Sumino, H., Yonetsu, M., & Hayase, S. Preprint of 16th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Glasgow, (2000). K., Tennakone, Kumara, G. R. R. A.,
• Kumarasinghe, A. R., Wijayantha, K. G. U., & Sirimanne, P. M. Semicond. Sci. Technol, 10, 1689, (1995).
• A.; Sarto Polo, Murakami Iha, N.Y.; Itokazu, M.K. “Metal complex sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells”. Coord. Chem. Rev. 248, 1343-1361, (2004),
• J.M.R.C. Fernando,; Sendeera, G.K.R. “Natural anthocyanins as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar devices”. Res. Comm. Current. Sci., 95, 663-666, (2008).
• H.W. Lai,; Su, Y.H.; Teoh, L, “Commercial and natural dyes as photosensitizers for a water-based dye sensitized solar cell loaded with gold nanoparticle”. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chemistry, 195, 307-313, (2008).
• Merck Index, 12th Edition, 5406.
• A. C. Dweek, "Natural ingredients for colouring and styling". Int. J. Cosmetic Sci. 24 (5) (2002), 287 302, doi:10.1046/j.1467-2494. 00148.x. PMID 18498522, (2002).
• F.S. yan, Rhus Linnaeus, Flora of China, Sp. Pl. 1: 1753. http://www.taste.com.au/how+to/articles/52/sumac. http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/ engl/ Rhus_cor .htm
• JM. Kong, Chia LS, Goh NK, Chia TF, Brouillard R (November 2003). "Analysis and biological activities of anthocyanins". (November 2003). (5): 933,
• E.W.C. Chan, et al., "Effects of different drying methods on the antioxidant properties of leaves and tea of ginger species". Food Chemistry 113 (1), 166-172, (2009). http://www.nutritional-supplements-health guide.com/turmeric.html
• T. M.Kolev, Velcheva, E. A.; Stamboliyska, B. A. "DFT and Experimental Studies of the Structure and Vibrational Spectra of Curcumin". International Journal of Quantum Chemistry 102 (6), 1069-1079, (2005)
• C.Giuseppe, et. al., “Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Red Turnip and Purple Wild Sicilian Prickly Pear Fruits”, Int. J. Mol. Sci., 11, 254-267, (2010).
• R.Castellar, Obon, J.M.; Alacid, M.; Fernandez- lopez, J.A. “Color properties and stability of betacyanins from opuntia fruits”. J. Agric. Food Chem., 51, 2772- , (2003)