Performance Modeling ofMimosa pudicaExtract as a Sensitizer for Solar Energy Conversion

Abstract

An organic material is proposed as a sustainable sensitizer and a replacement for the synthetic sensitizer in a dye-sensitized solar cell technology. Using the liquid extract from the leaf of a plant called Mimosa pudica (M. pudica) as a sensitizer, the performance characteristics of the extract of M. pudica are investigated. The photo-anode of each of the solar cell sample is passivated with a self-assembly monolayer (SAM) from a set of four materials, including alumina, formic acid, gelatine, and oxidized starch. Three sets of five samples of an M. pudica-based solar cell are produced, with the fifth sample used as the control experiment. Each of the solar cell samples has an active area of 0.3848cm 2. A twodimensional finite volume method (FVM) is used to model the transport of ions within the monolayer of the solar cell. The performance of the experimentally fabricated solar cells compares qualitatively with the ones obtained from the literature and the simulated solar cells. The highest efficiency of 3% is obtained from the use of the extract as a sensitizer. It is anticipated that the comparison of the performance characteristics with further research on the concentration of M. pudica extract will enhance the development of a reliable and competitive organic solar cell. It is also recommended that further research should be carried out on the concentration of the extract and electrolyte used in this study for a possible improved performance of the cell.

Flexibility of Organic Thermoelectric Material for Photovoltaic Solar Energy Management and Conversion

“…In a recent work of Shitta and Ogedengbe [2], the appreciable performance of M. pudica sensitized organic solar cell shows the potential flexibility of organic solar wafers for power generation in buildings. Fig.…”

“…Recent advances towards the generation of alternative power from renewable energy sources have enabled investigation of the photo-sensitivity and the mechano-chemistry of organic materials, like Mimosa pudica [2]. The leaf of the plant (M. pudica L.) is sensitive to the environmental changes, including mechanical stimuli, sudden temperature variations, high hydrostatic pressure, light, electrical stimulation, chemical agents, etc.…”