Performance of {111}-TiO2/betanin/[Emim][NTf2]/Ag dye sensitized solar cell – combined experimental and DFT studies

Paradigm shift in the photovoltaic efficiency of iodine-free redox mediator and Betalaine sensitized dye sensitized solar cell. [Display omitted] •Fabrication of betalain sensitized natural dye sensitized solar cell (NDSSC)•Successful prediction of the optimal alignment of the NDSSC via DFT studies.•{111}–TiO2 proved to be better photoanodic material than {001} and {101}-TiO2.•Superior efficiency of NDSSC obtained with [Emim]NTf2 ionic liquid electrolyte. The present work elucidates the study of photovoltaic efficiency in a fabricated natural dye sensitized solar cell (NDSSC) using {101}/{001}/{111} faceted titania as the anode with [Emim][NTf2] and I−/I3− as electrolytes. {111}-TiO2 based NDSSC demonstrated higher photovoltaic efficiency than NDSSC fabricated with {001} and {101}-TiO2. The best results were obtained using {111}-TiO2/betanin/[Emim][NTf2]/Ag with 10.8% enhancement over {111}-TiO2/betanin/I−/I3−/Ag NDSSC.