NOVEL PHOTOSENSITIZER FROM RED LOTUS FLOWER EXTRACT FOR NATURAL DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

Natural dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSCs) convert solar radiation into electrical energy using sensitization of dyes which is obtained from a natural source. In this study, a novel photosensitizer was extracted from the petal of Red Lotus flowers (Nymphaea pubescens Willd.) using methanol as a solvent. Various NDSSCs using an extracted dye as a photosensitizer were fabricated and the efficiency of cells was investigated. The petal dye showed a high absorption band in the visible region at 540 nm indicating a good light absorption performance. The PCE of NDSSCs based on the petal dye in methanol was 0.208 - 0.281%. The filling factor (FF), photocurrent density (𝐽SC), and photovoltage (𝑉OC) of NDSSCs were in the range of 0.621 - 0.668, 0.615 - 0.855 mA/cm2, and 0.506 - 0.523 V, respectively.