Utilization of Ipomoea batatas L. tuber extract for the development of dye-sensitized solar cell with modified electrode from rice husk ash

Abstract

A dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a solar cell device that works based on electro photochemical principles in which sensitive dyes are absorbed in the layer of photoelectrode. The utilization of natural dyes as a substitute for high-cost material in DSSC has been developed. Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) has high anthocyanin content, is safe to use, and has renewable properties that can be used as dyes in a layer of DSSC. Purple sweet potatoes contain a lot of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins C and B1, and minerals needed in DSSC. The semiconductor compiler to produce solar cells is expensive and requires many. Rice husk has a relatively high silica content, about 87-97%, that can be used as a low-cost and environmentally friendly silicon. The result of this study showed the absorbance peak for the mixture of extract and rice husk ash at 320 nm. DSSC fabrication obtained the highest efficiency of 1.1 x 10-3 with Imax = 0.0015 mA and Vmax = 0.02 mV. The physical characteristics were observed using SEM and XRD. Natural dye from purple sweet potato and rice husk ash semiconductors can be alternatives for DSSC production.