Carbon Aerogel Derived from Waste Biomass as a High-Performance Counter Electrode in Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have garnered significant attention as a cost-effective and environment friendly alternative to traditional silicon-based photovoltaic systems. This study explores the use of carbon aerogel as a counter electrode material to improve DSSC performance. Carbon aerogels derived from waste newspaper have remarkable characteristics such as high porosity, large surface area, and excellent electrical conductivity, making them a viable and effective alternative to platinum. The use of a natural cocktail dye derived from mulberry, moss, and Cassia fistula flowers broadens the light absorption spectrum, while a polymer electrolyte composed of CMC and MWCNT provides stability and increased ionic transport. The carbon aerogel-based DSSC obtained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.52%, which was higher than the 3.85% PCE of platinum-based equivalents, attributed to enhanced catalytic activity, lower charge-transfer resistance, and enhanced sunlight harvesting. These findings highlight the potential of carbon aerogels and natural dyes to enhance the scalability and sustainability of DSSC technology.