Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells Using Flora Extracts

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are simple and low-cost solar cells that can efficiently generate electricity from visible light, serving as environmentally friendly sources of energy. However, recent studies have shown that DSSCs have not been effective in generating a significant amount of voltage for usage as compared to the traditional silicon solar cells. Hence, this research aims to improve the efficacy of DSSCs for future uses with the addition of 1% agarose gel with 4% NaCl and natural sensitisers from flower or leaf extracts on TiO₂-based cells. With a hypothesis that the spectrum of light absorbed from passing through the dye would affect the amount of voltage generated by solar cells, natural dyes extracted from various flowers and leaves were then tested for the range of light absorbed by a spectrophotometer. A thin layer of agarose gel that reduces internal resistance within the solar cells was also used to obtain a higher yield of voltage as compared to previous researches. With successful results of a highest 0.58 V from a single solar cell with the dye extract from the Wall Daisy flower (Erigeron Karvinskianus), the sustainability of these DSSCs in terms of efficiency were also considered to achieve a better dye-sensitised solar cell for future use.