Mg doped anthocyanin from Hylocereus costaricensis peel for improved conversion efficiency of DSSC

Abstract

The performance of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is mainly based on the dye as sensitizer. Natural dyes become one of the most commonly used because of its low cost and abundance in supply of raw materials. However, the efficiency of DSSC with natural dyes is low because of low conductivity. In this research, modification of natural dye has been studied by doping Magnesium (Mg) to anthocyanin from Hylocereus costaricensis peel extracted with methanol, aquades, and acetic acid. Mg metal was obtained from MgSO4.7H2O salt at various concentration. This research resulted that the conversion efficiency of DSSC was increase and the optimum efficiency was obtained at 0,0924% when using Mg doped dye with MgSO4.7H2O salt concentration of 0.01 M. Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectrophotometer analysis showed that anthocyanin dye with 0.01 M doping has lowest transmittance. This suggested that 0,01 M doping has greatest dipole moment change, so it become the most polar molecule and has good conducting electrical current.