Fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using annato seeds (Bixa orellana Linn)

Abstract

The Fabrication of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using Annato seeds has been conducted in this study. Annato seeds (Bixa orellana Linn) used as a sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cell. The experimental parameter was concentration of natural dye. Annato seeds was extracted using etanol solution and the concentration was controlled by varying mass of Annato seeds. A semiconductor TiO2 was prepared by a screen printing method for coating glass use paste of TiO2. Construction DSSC used layered systems (sandwich) consists of working electrode (TiO2 semiconductor-dye) and counter electrode (platina). Both are placed on conductive glass and electrolytes that occur electrons cycle. The characterization of thin layer of TiO2 was conducted using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscpy) analysis showed the surface morphology of TiO 2 thin layer and the cross section of a thin layer of TiO2 with a thickness of 15-19 μm. Characterization of natural dye extract was determined using UV-Vis spectrometry analysis shows the wavelength range annato seeds is 328-515 nm, and the voltage (Voc) and electric current (Isc) resulted in keithley test for 30 gram, 40 gram, and 50 gram were 0,4000 V; 0,4251 V; 0,4502 V and 0,000074 A; 0,000458 A; 0,000857 A, respectively. The efficiencies of the fabricated solar cells using annato seeds as senstizer for each varying mass are 0,00799%, 0,01237%, and 0,05696%. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.