Utilization of Extracted Natural Dye from Tectona grandis (Teak) as a Sensitizer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Alamu Qudus A.^1*, Adara Peace Pamilerin², Kofoworola Awodele M.¹ and Oyeshola Hakeem O.¹

Abstract

Cost and energy payback time in relation to solar cell performances is one of the key parameters considered for mass application. In this research work, a low-cost, easily fabricated, and the more eco-friendly photovoltaic device was successfully developed using the dye synthesized from teak plant leaves.  The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is made up of photoelectrode and counter electrodes. The photoelectrode was prepared by depositing zinc paste on an active area of 1cm² of an Indium tin oxide (ITO) glass.  The glass was annealed at a temperature of 450⁰C for 30 minutes and stained in a beaker containing teak dye (a dye extracted using ethanol) for 24 hours. Another ITO glass was placed some centimeters above a candle flame to form the counter electrode; the effect was a dark-shaded ITO glass. To have working DSSCs, a binder clip was introduced to couple the two electrodes and three drops of iodine (as an electrolyte) were dropped in between the electrodes to complete the fabrication process. The ethanol-extracted dye has an absorption spectrum of 342 nm at a small peak and a broad absorption wavelength in the range of 412-664 nm. The power conversion efficiency (ƞ) of 0.44% was achieved through the developed solar cell.

Keywords

natural dye; ruthenium dye (inorganic dye); DSSCs; the power conversion efficiency

Cite This Article

Alamu, Q. A., Adara, P. P., Kofoworola, A. M., Oyeshola, H. O. (2022). Utilization of Extracted Natural Dye from Tectona grandis (Teak) as a Sensitizer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 3| Issue 4: Jul-Aug 2022, Pages 577-580, URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Volume3-Issue4-Jul-Aug-No.310-577-580.pdf

Volume 3 | Issue 4: Jul-Aug 2022