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

Saeidi, Mahsa; Mozaffari, Ahmad; Rahimnejad, Sara; Rahmanian, Reza

doi:10.22075/chem.2017.653

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

Authors

Mahsa Saeidi

Ahmad Mozaffari

Sara Rahimnejad

Reza Rahmanian

10.22075/chem.2017.653

Abstract

Â 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.

Keywords

Renewable Energy

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Natural Dye

Anthocyanin

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy