Utilization of Urang-Aring (Eclipta prostrata L.) Leaf as Natural Pigments for Sensitizers TiO2 Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Sensitizers for TiO2 based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were extracted from the leaves of Urang-aring (Eclipta prostrata L.). The purpose of this study is to determine the maximum efficiency value of DSSC utilizing a dye derived from Urang-aring leaf extract. Sample preparation and extraction, material characterization, DSSC assembly, and current and voltage testing were all part of the study process. The DSSC was prepared with three different weights of TiO2 paste: 0.0045 g, 0.0085 g, and 0.0135 g. The doctor blade approach was used to apply TiO2 paste on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass. With an absorbance value of 0.015, which was assumed to represent the wavelength of the flavonoid luteolin-7-O-glycoside complex, the dyes showed absorption throughout a broad range of the visible region of the solar spectrum (400-700 nm) and appreciable adsorption onto the semiconductor (TiO2) surface. According to the Scanning Electron Microscopy results, the surface morphology of TiO2 was spherical and agglomerated. The highest current and voltage were tested using the sunlight source at 11.00 a.m., yielding 5.45x10-4A and 14.715 V, respectively, with a DSSC maximum efficiency rating of 1.