Influence of Limonene from Orange Peel in Poly (Ethylene Oxide) PEO/I−/I3− Based Nanocrystalline Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

A novel method of introducing a Limonene obtained from orange fruit skin (Lim) is successfully incorporated in Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) with KI and I2 redox couple and employed in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X- ray diffraction (XRD) Ultra violet-visible spectrum (UV-Visible), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies described the influence of Lim on ionic conductivity and the photovoltaic properties of the PEO/KI/I2 system. The temperature-dependent conduction mechanism of ionic motion and ionic interactions as a function of frequency has been studied. The dielectric behavior of the electrolyte samples were carried out over a wide frequency range (∼1 MHz to 20 Hz) at various temperatures. A DSSC system fabricated with the prepared PEO/KI/I2/Lim polymer electrolyte facilitating a fill factor of 0.52, a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 14.1 mAcm−2 and an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 795 mV yields the achieved solar to electrical energy conversion efficiency of 5.83 % under irradiation of 1 sun (100 mWcm−2). The compound Lim thus effectively enhanced the ionic conductivity of the composite polymer electrolyte and hence the photovoltaic performance of the fabricated DSSC.