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Co-sensitization effect of chlorophyll and anthocyanin on optical absorption properties and power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

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Abstract

In this article, the chemical structure, optical absorption and photoluminescence properties of un/adsorbed dyes of hibiscus flower (H), pumpkin leaf (P), sweet potato leaf (S) and their composites (H: P & H: S) have been studied. The chemical structural properties revealed the O–H, C–C and C = O as the main anchoring functional groups. The optical absorption properties revealed two definite bands in between 450–500 nm and 600–680 nm wavelength for chlorophyll-based dyes and a peak at 526 nm for anthocyanin based dye extract. The composite dye extracts revealed optical absorption bands corresponding to chlorophyll and anthocyanin pigments with enhanced absorption of light. Five different solar cells based on H, P, S, H:P-3:1 and H:S-3:1 were developed and revealed an efficiency of ~ 0.08, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and ~ 1% respectively. The efficiency was reduced by half after 30 days. The composites had the highest power conversion efficiency due to more O–H, C–C and C = O binding sites on TiO2 nanoparticles, reduced rate of electron–hole pair recombination and a wide range of optical absorption. These studies suggest that co-pigmentation can be an alternative strategy to increasing the power conversion efficiency in DSSCs.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by Kyambogo University Competitive Research Grants, The World Academy of Sciences, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (TWAS-UNESCO)-Associateship Scheme at the Centres of Excellence in the South fellowship program, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation-University of South Africa (UNESCO-UNISA) Africa, Chair in Nanosciences & Nanotechnology and the Nano-sciences African Network (NANOAFNET).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, PO Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda

    Emma Panzi Mukhokosi, Tibenkana Mohammed & Namanya Loyce

  2. College of Graduate Studies, UNESCO UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa

    Nandipha L. Botha & Maliki Maaza

  3. Materials Research Department, Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS, PO Box 722, Cape Town, South Africa

    Nandipha L. Botha & Maliki Maaza

  4. Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063, Bergen, Norway

    Dhayalan Velauthapillai

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Emma Panzi Mukhokosi and Mohammed Tibenkana collected, prepared and analyzed the samples. Mohammed Tibenkana wrote the first draft of the manuscript. The final manuscript was read and approved by all authors.

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Mukhokosi, E.P., Mohammed, T., Loyce, N. et al. Co-sensitization effect of chlorophyll and anthocyanin on optical absorption properties and power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. J. Korean Phys. Soc. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40042-024-01070-2

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