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

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 23; no. 20; p. 8412
• Main Authors: Shukor, Nurul Izzati Abdul, Chan, Kah-Yoong, Thien, Gregory Soon How, Yeoh, Mian-En, Low, Pei-Ling, Devaraj, Nisha Kumari, Ng, Zi-Neng, Yap, Boon Kar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 12.10.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Alternative energy; anthocyanin; Berries; Blueberries; blueberry; Cadmium telluride; Cost analysis; dye-sensitized solar cells; Dyes; Efficiency; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Gallium arsenide; Light; mulberry; photovoltaics; Solar batteries; Solar cells; Malaysia
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s23208412

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.