Utilization of Naturally Occurring Dyes as Sensitizers in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

TL;DR

This study explores the use of naturally occurring anthocyanin dyes from fruits like blackcurrant and berries as cost-effective sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells, achieving efficiencies around 0.55%.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of using easily extractable, natural dyes from common fruits as inexpensive sensitizers in DSSCs.

Findings

Maximum efficiency of 0.55% with blackcurrant dye

Extraction method using acidified ethanol is effective

Natural dyes are promising low-cost sensitizers

Abstract

Dye sensitized Solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated with four naturally occurring anthocyanin dyes extracted from naturally found fruits/ juices (viz. Indian Jamun, Plum, Black Currant and Berries) as sensitizers. Extraction of anthocyanin was done using acidified ethanol. The highest power conversion efficiencies ({\eta}) of 0.55% and 0.53% were achieved for the DSSCs fabricated using anthocyanin extracts of blackcurrant and mixed berry juice. Widespread availability of these fruits/juices, high concentration of anthocyanins in them and ease of extraction of anthocyanin dyes from these commonly available fruits render them novel and inexpensive candidates for solar cell fabrication.