Fabrication of dye sensitized solar cells using locally available sensitizers

Abstract

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated using the dyes extracted from locally available natural plants of Mangosteen, Centella, Beetroot, Turmeric. Extracted dyes were analyzed using UV-vis spectrometer. Photo anodes were prepared by using regent grade TiO2 Powder. The TiO2 films were coated on Fluorine doped Tin Oxide (FTO) using doctor blade method and spray coating method. The film quality was examined using X-ray diffractometer and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The film prepared using spray coating method has better uniformity. DSSCs fabricated using the dye extracted from mangosteen have shown high efficiency than the DSSCs of other dyes. Combined dye absorptions of X (mangosteen and centella) and Y (mangosteen and turmeric) were done to increase the efficiency. The DSSC fabricated with mangosteen and centella combination of dyes yielded the maximum performance.