Enhanced performance of a dye sensitized solar cell using metallic and bi-metallic nanoparticles

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as a promising source to meet the energy demand as an environmentally friendly alternative. The work presented in this paper focuses on improving the efficiency of DSSCs using natural dyes and metallic and bi-metallic nanoparticles. The solar cell's performance in terms of efficiency (voltage vs. current) was tested under an indoor room light and fluorescent lamp. The experimental results demonstrate that cell with the dye from blue honeysuckle berries and Au nanoparticles as cathode produced greatest efficiency (η∼9 %) under fluorescent lamp.