Open AccessApplication of Natural Betalain Dye from Beetroot for Improved Efficiency in Dye Sensitized Solar Cell
Author(s) -
Kumavat Soni,
Arzoo Sheikh,
Vaibhav Jain,
N. Lakshmi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1187/1/012005
Subject(s) - dye sensitized solar cell , betalain , solar cell , materials science , natural dye , tin oxide , energy conversion efficiency , electrolyte , doping , auxiliary electrode , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , electrode , chemistry , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , dyeing , composite material , engineering , pigment
C, N, S co-doped TiO 2 (TU-TiO 2 ) synthesized through solid state method using high energy ball milling was applied onto fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate and sintered at 450° C for half hour for use as a photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Natural Betalain containing dye extracted from beetroot was used as sensitizer, Iodide triodide was used as electrolyte and graphite as counter electrode to obtain FTO/C, N, S-TiO 2 /Dye/Electrolyte/Graphite/FTO DSSC. X-ray Diffraction analysis established the formation of single phased materials retaining the basic TiO 2 structure. Optical properties were enhanced with increase in molar concentration of thiourea in TiO 2 . Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the incorporation of sulphur into TiO 2 . The highest of 94% relative increase is observed in solar to electric conversion efficiency for C, N, S co-doped TiO 2 compared to un-doped TiO 2 . Along with decrease in the band gap making the cell more sensitive to visible light, the improved performance is also due to the rise in charge injection from betalain dye to the C, N, S co-doped TiO 2 .