Improved Performance of Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (NDSSCS) Using ZnO Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Method

K. M. Prabu, P. M. Anbarasan

Abstract: Natural dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSCs) have gained considerable attention in the field of solar energy due to their simple fabrication; good efficiency; and low production cost. In this study; a photoelectrode using ZnO doped TiO2 nanoparticles was prepared by sol-gel method. The technology adopted in this paper is that the dye molecules absorb light; and produce excited electrons which in turn generate current in the output terminals of the cell. In this paper we investigate the optical absorption; functional group; surface morphology and elementary composition of pure TiO2; ZnO doped TiO2 nanoparticles and curcuma longa dye extract by using UV-Visible spectroscopy; PL-Studies; FT-IR; FE-SEM and EDS analysis. Finally photocurrent-voltaic characterization of nanocrystaline natural dye solar cell using I-V studies. It was found that the levels of short-circuit current (Jsc) ; open-circuit voltage (Voc) ; fill factor (FF) and overall conversion efficiency () of various parts of curcuma longa dye extract. Further suggestions to improve the efficiency of NDSSC are discussed

Keywords: ZnO doped TiO2 electrode, sol-gel method and curcuma longa dye

How to Cite?: K. M. Prabu, P. M. Anbarasan, "Improved Performance of Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (NDSSCS) Using ZnO Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Method", Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1740-1747, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=2014574, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/2014574