Synthesis and Characterization of the Brazilin Complex from Secang (Caesalpinia sappan Linn) Wood Extract and Its Application in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC)

Abstract

Secang (Caesalpinia sappan Linn) is an endemic plant in West Kalimantan that contains Brazilin red pigments. In this study, brazilin was obtained through a maceration process carried out by a liquid-liquid partition, then complexed with metal ions to improve the performance of compilation used as a sensitizer on dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Complexation is carried out using glycerol-water media, while DSSC fabrication is carried out using the doctor blading method. The results of FTIR analysis of secang wood extract showed the presence of a functional group O-H, C=O, C=C, and C-H, which are typical functional groups of brazilin. The formation of the brazilin-Cu, brazilin-Mg, and brazilin-Zn complexes is characterized by an increase in peak intensity of C=O at 1606 cm-1 and O-H at 3263 cm-1. The results of the UV-Vis analysis show that the complex has a wider wavelength and uses batochromic. DSSCs that use the brazilin-Cu, brazilin-Mg, and brazilin-Zn complexes that complement each other produce efficiencies of 0.034%, 0.030%, and 0.013%, and DSSC pure secang wood extract of 0.029%. The efficiency of the brazilian metal-complex when compared with brazilin, the efficiency increases, so that the maximum efficiency obtained by the Cu-brazilin sensitizer is equal to 0.034%.