International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 33 Number 1- March 2016
Dye-sensitized solar cell using natural dyes
extracted from Bougainvillea and bottle Brush
flower
Mr.Muhammed Thanzeel M.A#1, Mr. Paulose Paulose#2,Mr. Giphin George$3, Mr.Jimmy John*4
#
M.Tech. Student, Govt. Model engineering college, Mechanical Engineering (Energy Management),CUSAT, Kochi,
Kerala, India.
$
Assistant professor, Cochin Institute of Science And Technology, Muvattupuzha, kerala,India
*
Assistant professor, Govt. Model engineering college,Thrikkakara, Kochi, Kerala,India
Abstract:- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were
fabricated using dyes extracted from Bougainvillea
and Bottle brush flower. The energy conversion
efficiencies ( of Bougainvillea and Bottle brush
flower found out to be 0.31% and0.23% respectively.
This phenomenon is mainly due to the better
interaction between the carbonyl and hydroxyl
groups of anthocyanin molecule on dye extracts and
the surface of TiO2 porous film. The absorption
spectrums of both the dyes were also discussed in this
paper. Due to its low cost, simple preparation
technique and easy availability the dye sensitized
solar cells are found out to be really promising.
Keywords —Solar energy, Energy management, Low
cost solar cell, Natural dyes.
depend on the association of TiO2 and the absorption
spectrum of the dyes used for sensitizer[3].The
sensitization is mainly due to anthocyanins, which is
a natural phenolic compound [10].The main
advantages of these cells while comparing with the
conventional PV cells are better performance in low
light as well as with the diffused radiation, its low
cost and eco friendlier .
In this paper the DSSCs where prepared by using
dyes extracted from Bougainvillea and bottle brush
flowers. The efficiencies and fill factor between two
dyes are discussed. Photoelectrical and optical
properties of DSSC sensitized with natural dyes were
also discussed.
2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1 Materials and methods
I.INTRODUCTION
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are devices for the
conversion of light to electric energy by mimicking
photosynthesis
of
plants.
Gratzel
and
O’Regan(1991)invented a prototype of DSSC cell
which is much eco friendlier as well as cost
effective[1].The conversion of light energy to
electrical energy takes place due to the excitation of
electrons from photo anode to counter electrode. A
DSSC mainly consist of an nano crystalline
titaniumdioxide(TiO2)electrode,which is impregnated
on dyein an transparent conducting oxide (TCO), a
platinum or graphite coated counter electrode, and an
electrolyte solution placed between the two
electrodes based on the iodide/iodine redox couple (I /I-3)[6].The performance of the DSSC is mainly
ISSN: 2231-5381
The DSSC mainly consist of an transparent
conductive oxide (TCO) coated glass 2 mm thick
glass substrate with fluorine doped tin oxide coating
on one side (2.5x2.5 cm2). We have used
nanocrystalline TiO2 (Sigma-Aldrich, nanopowder,
<25 nm particle size, MW- 79.9 g/mol, MP at
18250C) and Potassium iodide solution (0.5M KI+
0.05M I2in acetonitrile solvent) as electrolyte. The
Counter electrode was coated with graphite which
acts as catalyst and the dyes are extracted from the
two flowers that I have chosen.
2.2 Preparation of natural dye sensitizers
The natural dyes which are used to make the
sensitizer were extracted from Bougainvillea and
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 33 Number 1- March 2016
bottle brush flowers. The petals of two flowers are
taken and grinded separately using a grinder for easy
extraction of colour. We took aconical flasks filled
with 100 ml distilled water and the grinded petals
were put inside that conical flask and stirred
well.Then we added1 ml of HCL to the solutionand
heated up to 100oC.Then the solution Stirred properly
until colour change occurs and keep the vessel up to
15-20 minutes and dye was extracted using a filter
paper.
factor (FF) were calculated using the following
relations.
FF = V max ×I max/ Voc × Isc
(1)
=Isc × Voc× FF / P in
(2)
Where P in is the power of incident light
2.3 Preparation of dye-sensitized solar cells
A TiO2photo anode was prepared by TiO2 with
diluted nitric acid. We have taken 10 mL of dilute
nitric acid and added gradually to 0.6 g Titanium
Dioxide[3].It was stirred and grinded with a mortar
and pestle until the solution becomes smooth and
lump-free. We had determined the conductive side
using a multi-meter and the conductive sides were
masked with a masking tape.A uniform, thin layer of
TiO2was deposited across the unmasked portion of
the slide by drawing a stir-rod along the slide
Fig.1.The slide was allowed to dry for a few minutes
and tape was removed and then the substrate were
sintered at 450oC for 30 min using muffle furnace.
Fig 1After application of TiO2
The sintered TiO2layer is impregnated with natural
dyes for 4 hours and rinse with absolute ethanol.
After 4 hours the catalyst (graphite) coated counter
electrode was placed on the top so that the conductive
side of the counter electrode faces the TiO2film.We
prepared the iodide electrolyte solution (0.5M
potassium iodide mixed with 0.05M iodine in
acetonitrile solvent) and placed at the edges of the
plates[3].Two binder clips were used to hold the
electrodes togetherFig.2.
Fig2 Final DSSCs Bougainvillea(right) and bottle
brush flower (left)
2.4 Characterization and measurement
We recorded the absorption spectra of dye solutions
and dyes adsorbed on TiO2 surface using a UV–VIS
Spectrophotometer and the Solar energy conversion
efficiency (I-V curve) was measured using a digital
Keithley source meter under stimulated sunlight( AM
1.5, 100 mWcm-2 condition).The short circuit
current(I SC) and open circuit voltage (V OC) were
calculated using the I-V curve. The efficiency and fill
ISSN: 2231-5381
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Absorption of natural dyes
The absorption spectrum of Bougainvillea and bottle
brush flowers was obtained using Ultraviolet-visible
spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Fig.3 shows the absorption
spectra of both the flowers. The wavelength range of
both the spectrum is in between 400 to 800 nm. After
analyzing the spectrum we found out that
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 33 Number 1- March 2016
Bougainvillea shows a good absorption level
in
between 400 to 600 nm with peak absorption at 520
nm. When it comes to bottle brush flower, it has a
good absorption level between 400 to 600 nm with
peak absorption at 510 nm.
TiO2 which makes the electron transfer from
anthocyanin molecules to the conduction band of
TiO2.
100
%T
1 6 3 9 .4 9
75
3 3 4 2 .6 4
50
25
By analyzing the FT-IR spectrum and the UV-Vis
we can infer that the sensitization of the wide band
gap is mainly due to anthocyanins[3]. The
anthocyanins are present in roots, leaves, flowers etc.
The carboxyl and hydroxyl present in the
anthocyanin molecules can from a good bond with
ISSN: 2231-5381
2000
1500
1000
500
1/cm
Frequency
Peak
value
bond
Functional
group
3400-3250
3342.64
O-H
stretch
Carboxylic
group
1760-1600
1639.49
C=O
stretch
Carbonyls
100
%T
80
40
5 4 5 .8 5
60
4000
Bottle brush
3000
2000
1500
1000
Fig.5FTIR spectrum of bottle brush flower
Table 2 Functional group of Bottle brush flower
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4 0 8 .9 1
(Carbonyls) and C-Br stretch (Alkyl halides)Table.2.
3000
Fig 4FTIR spectrum of bottle Bougainville
Table 1 Functional group of Bougainvillea
1 6 3 1 .7 8
FT-IR spectrum of Bougainvillea flower is showed in
the Fig.4.While analyzing the FT-IR spectrum of
Bougainvillea there is broad absorption spectra
between 3400-3250 cm-1 with a peak value of
3342.64 cm-1corresponding to the vibration of O-H
stretch (Carboxylic group). There is a sharp
absorption between 1760-1600cm-1 with a peak value
of 1639.49cm-1 due to
vibration of C=O
stretch(Carbonyls)Table1. Fig.5 Represents the FTIR spectra of bottle brush flower. When we analyze
the spectrum of bottle brush flower, there is a broader
absorption spectra between 3400-3250cm-1with a
peak value of 3346.50cm-1 corresponding to the
vibration of O-H stretch(Carboxylic group). There is
a sharp absorption between 1760-1600cm-1 and 690515cm-1 with peak values of 1631.78cm-1 and
545.85cm-1 is due to the vibrations of C=O stretch
4000
Bonganvilla
3 3 4 6 .5 0
Fig 3UV-Vis absorption graph of Bougainvillea (A)and bottle
brush flower(B)
500
1/cm
International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 33 Number 1- March 2016
Frequency
Peak
value
bond
Functional
group
3400-3250
3346.50
O-H
stretch
Carboxylic
group
1760-1600
1631.78
C=O
stretch
Carbonyls
C-Br
stretch
Alkyl halides
690-515
545.85
3.2 Photoelectrical properties of DSCs sensitized
with natural dyes
The photoelectrical properties of the DSSCs using
natural dyes are found out by measuring the currentvoltage curve under the irradiation of 100mWcm-2.
The performance of Dyes as sensitizers was
evaluated using short circuit current (ISC), open
circuit voltage (VOC), Fill factor (FF) and energy
conversion efficiency (. The typical I-V curve of a
DSSC is shown inFig.6 and the photoelectric
parameters are shown in the Table.3. From the
Fig.6the values of short-circuit current (ISC) opencircuit voltage (VOC) of the DSSC made by using
Bougainvillea can be obtained directly, which is
1.41mA and 0.392 V, respectively. The maximum
power of the DSSC confirmed based on P max = I× Vof
the point P on the Fig.6which is 312.5µW.
Table 3 Photoelectric parameter of DSSC
Dyes
Bougainvillea
Bottle brush
flower
ISC
(mA)
1.41
VOC
(mV)
392
FF
h (%)
0.56
0.31
1.21
380
0.51
0.23
The fill factor and efficiency () of the Bougainvillea
is 0.56 and 0.31% respectively. While the bottle
brush flower is having fill factor of 0.51 and the
efficiency ( is found out to be 0.23%Table.3. So
while we comparing both Bougainvillea and the
Bottle brush flower, the bougainvillea flower shows
better fill factor as well as the energy conversion
efficiency than that of Bottle brush flower.
3. CONCLUSION
Natural dyes were extracted from Bougainvillea and
Bottle brush flowers. Using the natural dyes extracts
as photo sensitizers, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC)
were assembled and the ISC, VOC, FF, Efficiency
values of Bougainvillea found out to be1.41mA,
0.392V,0.56,0.31%respectively. But in the case of
Bottle brush flower the values are 1.21mA, 0.380V,
0.51, 0.23%. In conclusion, the Bougainvillea extract
has higher photosensitized performance as compared
to the pea blue extract. This is due to the better
charge transfer between Bougainvillea dye molecule
and the TiO2 surface which is related to a dye
structure. Because of the simple preparation
technique, low cost and widely available natural dye
as an alternative sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar
cell is promising
REFERENCES
Fig.6 Current–voltage curve of Bougainville DSSC
ISSN: 2231-5381
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