Electrochemical evaluation of fabricated dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with nanostructured thin film electrodes and natural dye

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Abstract

  Nowadays, Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a new class of low cost solar cells that affordable to convert light energy into electrical energy and also they are known as the third generation of solar cells founded on nano structured thin films. Titanium dioxide usually plays as the semiconductor for transmission of excited electrons from dye to the counter electrode (cathode). During one cycle of electron transfer, which electrolyte plays an important role in the electron transportation, electrons will return to the excited dye molecules. This phenomenon practically presents the sunlight conversion into electricity by solar cells. In this project eggplant was used as a natural source of dye for fabrication of DSSC. Dye extraction was performed by suitable solvent and its purification was conducted by Solid Phase Extraction columns. The electrochemical evaluation and final efficiency measurement of fabricated cells were carried out by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy method which is well known as a powerful and non destructive technique in studying of charge transfer on the surface of nano structured electrodes.

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