Fabrication of eco-friendly, low-cost dye sensitized solar cells using harda fruit-based natural dye

The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been eyed as a potential alternative to the expensive silicon-based solar cells. However, most high-performing DSSCs employ ruthenium (Ru) bipyridyl derivatives dye as a photosensitizer, which is costly and toxic. In this research, low-cost eco-friendly alternative dye materials, namely harda fruit-based natural dye and direct dye (fabric dye) were investigated for application in the DSSCs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman, and X-ray diffraction studies have been performed to gain insight into morphological, structural, and crystalline properties of photosensitizers. The DSSCs based on the natural dye and fabric dye was successfully demonstrated with 3.52% and 0.80% efficiency, respectively. The analysis of photovoltaic parameters reveals that the superior performance of a natural dye-based DSSC results from the better morphological and crystalline properties of the natural dye-based sensitizers. The decent performance shown by a natural dye-based DSSC in the work is expected to propel the research in the area of natural dye-based DSSCs. •Low-cost, environmentally sustainable natural dye is synthesized from harda fruit.•Natural dye/TiO2 film shows better crystallinity and morphology than textile dye.•Natural dye-based DSSC yields efficiency of 3.52%.