Effective Means of Dyeing Dye-

Sensitized Solar Cells

Sean Uziel Tul-id, Lohit Talachutla
Frontiers of Science Institute
Andrew Roth, Dr. Cynthia Galovich, Dr. Matthew Semak
University of Northern Colorado, Department of Physics

ABSTRACT
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a new breakthrough concept in the world of photovoltaic cells. They are an organic alternative to the already commercially wide-spread solar panels. They use anthocyanins,
which are flavonoids found in many plant foods, to create the photovoltaic effect. So far DSSCs are very hard
cc to make without sacrificing efficiency and lifespan, and so the focus of our study is improving upon the
process of making DSSCs, more specifically on how to dye the cell itself. Two procedures were used to dye the DSSCs: boiling reduction and a crushing method. When testing, the aim in finding efficiency was to find a
general curve between voltage and current that can be correlated to a commercial photovoltaic cell.

DYE COMPARISON COMPLETED CELL

INTRODUCTION DISCUSSION
• Current photovoltaic cells, otherwise known as solar cells, may have • Goal: to determine if DSSCs can match the efficiency of regular
high efficacy, but are cost-inefficient. photovoltaic cells
• Most photovoltaic cells use cadmium telluride(CdTe), which • Finding the most efficient way of dying the DSSCs
has a low natural abundance and therefore cannot be • DSSCs must have the capacity to function relatively similar to
easily replaced. traditional photovoltaic cells to have the potential to match efficiency
• DSSCs have been researched to be cc a viable alternative to photovoltaic • The IV (current and voltage) curve indicates similar data that can tell if
cells. the cell is functioning like the average photovoltaic cell
• Many of the materials used for DSSCs are higher in natural • Negative current-solar cell is generating more current as compared to
abundance, however, they are not very efficient. the voltage
• Current research is invested in maximizing the efficiency of DSSCs. • Dye-sensitized solar cells lack the efficiency and lifespan that
RESULTS photovoltaic cells possess
• Lifespan: dependent on theccelectrolyte leaking from the dye-
DSSC Dyed with Squished Berries sensitized solar cells
• Risking stability of the DSSC if it is sealed
70

METHODS
60
• Deviations in the research may result from other variables
50
• Application-placing the glass in the dye bag to pipetting the dye on
• Cover the conductive side of a conductive glass with a Titanium paste
Current (mA)

40 the TiO2 paste

(TiO2 and acetic acid) and leave a border around the edges by taping 30 • Acetic acid-acetic acid, glacial acetic acid (concentrated), vinegar
them.​ 20
• Future research may be conducted to optimize current and lifespan
• Wait for the TiO2 to dry.​ 10
• The study conducted only focused on the variances in cell dyeing
• Heat the glass on a hotplate, looking for a color change to brown, and 0
techniques
then back to white.​ 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
• Limited from other efficiency tests
• Wait for the glass to cool.​ • Optimized the dying technique for future researchers to use and
-10

Voltage(V)
• Dye the cell.​ improve on
Regular Cell
• This may be done by:​ 900

• Using pure berry juice​ cc 800

• Reducing the berry juice in water​

• Wait for the cell to dry.​
700
REFERENCES
600

• Apply graphite/soot on the conductive side of another conductive glass.​

Current (mA)

500
Carts-Powell, Y. (2004). Photovoltaic Cell. In K. L. Lerner & B. W. Lerner (Eds.), The
• Join the two pieces of glass, conductive sides touching, with an offset 400
cc
Gale Encyclopedia of Science (3rd ed., Vol. 5, pp. 3072-3075). Detroit, MI: Gale.
on two sides.​ 300 Retrieved from Gale Encyclopedia of Science.
• Insert potassium iodide(KI) electrolyte into the offset to cover the dye 200

with the electrolyte.​ 100

Jasim, Khalil E. "Dye Sensitized Solar Cells - Working Principles, Challenges and
• The cell is ready to be tested. 0
Opportunities.“
cc
• The cell is wired to a DC power supply and two multimeters to
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

-100

measure and record voltage and current. Voltage (V) Nazeeruddin, M., Baranoff, E., & Gratzel, M. (2011, March 17). Dye-Sensitized Solar
Cells: A Brief Overview. In ScienceDirect.
DSSC Dyed with Berry Reduction
60
Richhariya, G., Kumar, A., Tekasakul, P., & Gupta, B. (2016, November
BERRY REDUCTION DYE SQUISHED BERRY DYE 40 25). Natural Dyes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell: A Review. In ScienceDirect. Retrieved
from Summon.
20
Current (mA)

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45

-20

-40
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
-60 Alejandra Major-Adolph Coors Foundation​
Gary Weiderspon-Xcel
cc Energy​
-80

Voltage (V) Andy Artz, Josh Ball, Matt Geib c/o Becky Ball-Artz/Ball/MGI​
Lori Ball-UNC MAST Department