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Anthocyanin-dyed TiO2 Electrode and its Performance on Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Physics, Federal College of Education, Technical, Umunze, NIGERIA
  • 2 Department of Physics and Industrial Physics, Madonna University, Elele, NIGERIA
  • 3 Department of Physics and Industrial Physics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, NIGERIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 1, Issue (5), Pages 22-27, May,2 (2012)

Abstract

The dye-sensitized solar cell, often called the “gratzel cell” after its inventor, is a promising route toward harvesting solar energy in the effort to address the daunting global energy and environment challenges of the 21st century. Recently, dye-sensitized solar cells based on natural pigments have been demonstrated. The performance of anthocyanin local dye as photosensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell has been successfully studied. Anthocyanin dye is an extract from hibiscus sabdariffa which is an edible plant called zobo by Nigerians. Anthocyanin-stained TiO2 electrode showed an outstanding optical absorbance within wavelength range of 283 nm – 516 nm. Peak absorbance of 2.16A.U. 2.26A.U. and 2.38A.U. were recorded in the UV region at 324.45nm, 344.87nm and 369.35nm respectively. Appreciable absorbance was recorded in the visible region with two outstanding peaks; 2.26A.U. and 2.16A.U., occurring at 405.99nm and 426.47nm respectively. The photovoltaic parameters of a second cell fabricated with unstained TiO2 photo-electrode was studied for comparison of results. The overall conversion efficiency of the stained and unstained cells were 0.58% and 0.03% respectively.

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