A Green Approach to Natural Dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Solar cells are pivotal in harnessing renewable energy for a greener and more sustainable energy landscape. Nonetheless, eco-friendly materials for solar cells have not been as extensive as conventional counterparts, highlighting a significant area for further investigation in advancing sustainable energy technologies. This study investigated natural dyes from cost-effective and environmentally friendly blueberries and mulberries. These dyes were utilized as alternative sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Alongside the natural dyes, a green approach was adopted for the DSSC design, encompassing TiO2 photoanodes, eco-friendly electrolytes, and green counter-electrodes created from graphite pencils and candle soot. Consequently, the best-optimized dye sensitizer was mulberry, with an output power of 13.79 µW and 0.122 µW for outdoor and indoor environments, respectively. This study underscored the feasibility of integrating DSSCs with sensitizers derived from readily available food ingredients, potentially expanding their applications in educational kits and technology development initiatives.

Unlocking the potential of anthocyanin-based dye-sensitized solar cells: Strategies for enhancing efficiency, stability, and economic viability

“…Innovative approaches, like combining anthocyanins from different fruits demonstrate the versatility of anthocyanin-based DSSCs (Al Batty et al, 2022). This transformative phase in DSSC research positions anthocyanins as leading contenders for sustainable solar cell technologies, offering competitive efficiencies and potential applications in educational kits and technology development initiatives (Shukor et al, 2023). This collective research, spanning diverse sources and innovative approaches, underscores the promising trajectory of anthocyanins in advancing renewable energy.…”

“…These natural pigments, abundant in fruits and plant tissues, are recognized for exceptional light-absorbing properties. Seminal previous works in 2023 highlight the efficacy of anthocyanins from diverse sources (Aziza et al, 2023;Montagni et al, 2023;Rajoriya et al, 2023;Shukor et al, 2023;Soosairaj et al, 2023;Yadav et al, 2023). The chemical structure of anthocyanins, with conjugated double bonds and hydroxyl groups, facilitates efficient light absorption and charge transfer in solar cells.…”

“…This collective state-of-the-art, incorporating sixteen research works, positions anthocyanins as competitive alternatives to conventional sensitizers. Anthocyanins from various sources, including blackberries, acai berries, Leucophyllum frutescens, and Malabar spinach (Basella alba), have substantially improved power conversion efficiency, reaching up to 13.79 and 0.122 µW for outdoor and indoor environments, respectively (Shukor et al, 2023). Innovative approaches, like combining anthocyanins from different fruits demonstrate the versatility of anthocyanin-based DSSCs (Al Batty et al, 2022).…”