Influence of different natural dyes as sensitizers on the performance of DSSCs

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), sensitized with natural coloring pigments extracted from Grapes, Beta vulgaris, Piper betel leaves and Spinach leaves were prepared. These dyes were prepared using ethanol as solvent. Different dye extracts were used as sensitizer for the photo-electrode and incorporated in the DSSCs. Photo-electrochemical performances of these DSSCs were evaluated under short circuit current (ISC) ranging from 7.5 to 2.45 mA, with open circuit voltage (VOC) ranging from 0.25 to 0.42 V and 100 mW/cm2 light intensity. Among these four different photovoltaic DSSCs, the performance of the DSSC prepared with Spinach extract as a sensitizer gave the best performance with ISC of 7.56 mA, Voc of 0.339 V, a fill factor (FF) of 0.645, and an overall solar energy conversion efficiency (η) of 1.64%.