Photovoltaic Perfomance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Natural Dyes Extracted from Bougainvillea Flower and Mango Leaves
Ezeoke Jonathan *
Department of Physics, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
M. Y. Onimisi
Department of Physics, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Eli Danladi
Department of Physics, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
S. G. Abdu
Department of Physics, Kaduna State University, Nigeria.
M. S. Abdulsalam
Department of Biological Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
We reported an improved performance of a dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), sensitized with mango (Mangifera indica) leaves extract. Nano-crystalline titanium (TiO2) film electrodes were sensitized with aqueous extract of Mangifera indica and bougainvillea extract. The resulting photoelectrodes were successfully incorporated in the DSSCs. The photovoltaic perfomance of the DSSCs were evaluated under 100 mAcm-2 light intensity. The Mangifera indica extract sensitized solar cell gave a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 0.1314 mAcm-2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.49 V, a fill factor (FF) of 0.59, and an overall solar energy conversion efficiency (η) of 0.038%. Also, the bougainvillea flower extract sensitized cell gave a Jsc of 0.0134 mAcm-2, Voc of 0.36 V, FF of 0.51 yielding a conversion efficiency of 0.003%. This represents a 36% improvement in open circuit voltage over that of bougainvillea.
Keywords: DSSCs, natural dye extracts, sensitization, titanium dioxide (TiO2