Performance of TiO2 based dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated with dye extracted from leaves of Peltophorum pterocarpum and Acalypha amentacea as sensitizer

The natural dyes were extracted from Peltophorum pterocarpum and Acalypha amentacea using water and ethanol by cold maceration technique. They were then used as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and their characteristics were studied. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel technique and were subjected to structural and morphological studies “such as X - ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)”. The optical absorption spectrum of dye extracts were studied by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. A thin layer of TiO2 was coated by Doctor Blade method on FTO glass plate. The coated TiO2 films were immersed in dye extracts. The transparent conductive glass (FTO) was used as photoanode. The influence of the different parameters such as “open circuit voltage” (VOC), “short circuit current” (JSC), “fill factor” (FF), and efficiency (η) of the photovoltaic characteristics of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were analyzed. The maximum efficiency was found in mixed dye extracted using ethanol.