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 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014) 24-32 ISSN 2349 5359

RESEARCH ARTICLE
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
ADVANCED SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Journal Webpage : www.mahendrapublications.com

Sensitizers Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Fabricated With Indian Fruits and Leaves
K. M. Prabu1, K. Suguna1, P. M. Anbarasan1,2, T. Selvankumar3, and
V. Aroulmoji4
1Department of Physics, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
2Centrefor Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Periyar University,
Salem - 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
3PG & Research Department of Biotechnology, Mahendra Arts and Science College,

Kalippatti, Namakkal-637 501, Tamil Nadu, India.

4Centre for Research and Development, Mahendra Educational Institutions,

Mallasamudram - 637 503, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT: Hazardous chemicals escape into the environment due to many natural and manmade activities.
They cause adverse effects on human health and environment. 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. Natural dyes are environmentally and economically superior to ruthenium-based dyes,
because they are nontoxic and cheaper. However, the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells based on
natural dyes is low. One way to improve the DSSC performance is to enhance the absorption (efficiency) of
extracted natural dyes. The optical absorption and the functional group prepared from natural dyes were
analyzed by using UV-Visible, PL-studies and FT-IR analysis. The optical absorption and surface morphology of
pure and doped TiO2 Nanopaste coated on dye dipped FTO glass plate were analyzed by using UV-Visible and
FE-SEM analysis. NDSSCs were assembled by using methanol treatment of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian Spin-
ach leaves & Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes. Finally photo-voltaic characterizations of assembled nanocrystaline
natural dye solar cells were analyzed by using J-V studies. The photo - electrochemical parameters, such as short
-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF) and overall conversion efficiency (η) are evaluated.

Keywords: Pure and doped TiO2 photo-electrode, Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian Spinach leaves & Red Indian
Spinach fruit dyes.

© 2014 mahendrapublications.com, All rights reserved

1. INTRODUCTION
The conversion of solar radiation to electrical energy has
become more and more important because sunlight is a
clean and limitless energy source compared to the
traditional fossil energy sources. Dye-sensitized solar cells
(DSSCs) were first proposed by Gratzel in the early 1990's.
They developed a DSSC with energy conversion efficiency
exceeding 7% in 1991 and 11.4% in 2001 by combining
nanostructure electrodes to efficient charge injection dyes.
A DSSC is the third generation photovoltaic device for low
cost conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. The
* Corresponding author Received : 03.09.2014
Phone : +91 9443659435 Accepted : 24.10.2014
Email : svmprabu@gmail.com
anbarasanpm@gmail.com
K. M. Prabu, et al.,
TiO2 has been widely studied for efficient DSSCs, and a
power conversion efficiency of 11% was reported. Recent
studies have shown that metal oxides such as ZnO, SnO2,
Nb2O5- mainly TiO2, have been successfully used as photo-
anode when a dye is absorbed in the interior of the porous
layer [1-5]. The main features of natural dyes are their
availability, evironmental friendly and cost effective. The
efficiency of DSSCs with organic dyes was increased signifi-
cantly in the last few years and the current state of the art
(9 %) is comparable to the conventional Ru-complexes.
Pure dye is extracted from Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian
Spinach leaves and Red Indian Spinach fruit by using
various solvent such as methanol, ethanol and acetone.
24
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014)
The optical absorption and functional group of prepared
natural dyes were analyzed by using UV-Visible, PL-Studies
and FT-IR analysis. Then the photo electrode was prepared
by doctor-blade method from pure TiO2, Ag doped TiO2, Mg
doped TiO2, Bi doped TiO2, Al doped TiO2 and ZnO doped TiO2
nanopaste. Next we investigate the optical absorption,
surface morphology of dye dipped FTO glass plate by using
UV-Visible, PL-studies and FE-SEM analysis. Finally
photocurrent-voltaic characterizations of assembled
nanocrystalline natural dye solar cells were analyzed by us-
ing J-V studies also the levels of short-circuit current (Jsc),
open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF) and overall conver-
sion efficiency (η) can be analyzed [6-14].
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Chemicals Used
Most of the chemicals used in the research are standard
chemicals that are normally available in the laboratory.
Special materials for DSSC are mostly purchased from
Solaronix. The chemicals used in this study were titanium
tetrachloride, aluminum nitrate, bismuth nitrate, magnesium
nitrate, zinc acetate dehydrate, benzyl alcohol, absolute
ethanol, acetyl acetone, methanol, isopropanol, DFM solvent,
Triton X-100, polyethylene glycol, Idolyte TG 50 and diethyl
ether were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. All the chemicals
were used without further purification.
2.2. Sample Preparation
Metal oxide nanoparticles attract great attention in recent
years on account of their special electronic and chemical
properties. In this paper, Al doped TiO2 nanoparticles with
high photo catalytic activity were synthesized by sol-gel
method. The nano TiO2 powder was prepared with titanium
isopropoxide solution as the raw material. In a typical
experiment, 0.05 mol % aluminium nitrate was dissolved in
60 ml of deionized water at room temperature, followed by
adding 5 ml of glacial acetic acid to obtain solution A. 14 ml
titanium isopropoxide was dissolved in 40 ml of anhydrous
ethanol with constant stirring to form solution B. Then, the
solution B was added drop-wise into the solution A within 2
hours under constant stirring. Subsequently, the obtained sol
was stirred continuously for 3 h and kept for 3 days at room
temperature. As-prepared TiO2 gels were dried for 10 h at
80°C. The obtained solids were ground and finally calcinated
at 500°C for 2 h (heating rate = 5°C/min). This method has
been followed by preparation of pure and Bi, Mg, Ag and ZnO
doped TiO2 [15]
2.3. Substrate Cleaning
Coated glass with highly F-doped Transparent Conducting
Oxide (TCO) usually serves as a support for the
dye-sensitized solar cell fabrication. It allows lightly
transmission while providing good conductivity for current
collection. The Substrates are first dipped into acetone in the
ultrasonic bath for 20 minutes to dissolve the unwanted 2.7. Preparation of Counter Electrode
organic materials and to remove dust and contamination The platinization procedure given by Solaronix was
material that are left on the substrates post manufacture. applied because the material was taken from Solaronix
Another 20 minutes of ultrasonic bath in methanol is
K. M. Prabu, et al.,
ISSN 2349 5359
followed in order to remove the acetone and materials that
are not cleansed or dissolved by acetone. Finally, a 30 minute
ultrasonic bath in isopropanol was needed to further remove
the residual particles on the substrates.
2.4. ZnO/TiO2 Photo - anode Deposition on FTO Glass Plate
As it is very important to work with a fingerprint free
F-doped TCO, gloves were used always and FTO was cleaned
with alcohol prior to use. The FTO was heated to 50°C at the
beginning of the process to increase the adhesion and the
scotch 3M adhesive tapes were applied on the edge of the
conductive side of the FTO glass plate. The reason for using
tapes was to prepare a mould such that nano-sintered ZnO
doped TiO2 has always same area and thickness for all
samples. A certain proportion of ZnO doped TiO2 powder
with ethanol, acetyl acetone; polyethylene glycol and triton
(X-100) were mixed for 30 minutes in agate mortar. Then
ZnO doped TiO2 colloidal was dropped on the conductive side
of the FTO after the conductive side of the FTO was checked
by the multimeter. Then, the ZnO doped TiO2 paste was
uniformly distributed over the FTO by Doctor Blade method.
Doctor Blade means a film smoothing method using any steel,
rubber, plastic, or other type of blade used to apply or
remove a liquid substance from another surface. The term
“Doctor Blade” is derived from the name of a blade used in
conjunction with the doctor roll on the letter press [16-17].
2.5 Heat Treatment for Photo Anode
The scotch 3M adhesive tapes were removed from the ZnO
doped TiO2 coated FTO glass plate and plates were sintered
at 450°C for 30 min in air. The colour of ZnO doped TiO2
becomes brown in the middle of the sintering process and
then its colour changes to the brownish-white. This colour
remained till the end of the sintering process. This is to
ensure that the polymer or macromolecules in ZnO doped
TiO2 colloid such as acetyl acetone can be removed, leaving
tiny holes in nano layers, resulting in better dye absorption
and better contact between ZnO doped TiO2 particles. In
consequence, it optimizes the chances of electrons being
excited by the photons and increases the amount of excited
electrons entering into the ZnO doped TiO2 conduction band.
2.6. Preparation of Dye Sensitizer Solutions
The Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian Spinach leaves and Red
Indian Spinach fruit were collected from Uthangarai Taluk,
Krishnagiri District. Approximately 50 g of the sample was
dissolved in 100 ml of methanol, ethanol and acetone. Then
the pure solution was filtered out from solid residues by
extraction process. Further purification of the extract was
avoided to achieve efficient sensitization using simple
extraction procedures. The extracts were properly stored,
protected from sunlight and used further as photo sensitizers
in DSSCs.
25
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014)
Actually, this method is simply called thermal decomposition
which is most widely used platinization procedure. Plastitol
was applied on the surface by using a brush. All FTO glasses
were sintered at 450°C for 15 minutes for decomposition
which was the minimum required calcinations condition
according to the procedure [18-19].
2.8. Nano-crystalline Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Assembly
Sensitized pure and doped TiO2 photo-anode and the counter
electrode were stacked together face to face and the liquid
electrolyte, Idolyte TG 50 solution drop penetrated into the
working space and counter electrode via capillary action. The
two electrodes were held with binder clips [18].
ISSN 2349 5359
Indian Spinach fruit dyes dipped ZnO doped TiO2 nanopaste
coated on FTO glass plate indicates that the maximum
absorption peak appeared at around the region between 400
nm to 600 nm, around the region between 300 nm to 700 nm
and around the region between 300 nm to 750 nm
respectively. It was evident that the absorption of the ZnO
doped TiO2 nanopaste coated dye dipped FTO glass plate
exhibited the largest red shift compare to Bi, Al, Mg, Ag doped
TiO2 and pure TiO2.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 UV-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis
The dye used as a photo - sensitizer plays an important
role in the operation of DSSCs. The efficiency of the cell is
critically dependent on the absorption spectrum of the dye
and the anchorage of the dye to the surface of the semicon-
ductor. The UV-Visible spectral studies of the Prunus Dul- Figures 3.1.1 & 3.1.2: UV –Visible absorption spectra of Prunus Dulcis fruits
& Red Indian Spinach leaves dye extracted by using different solvents
cis fruit, Red Indian Spinach leaves and Red Indian Spinach (A- methanol, B-ethanol and C- acetone).
fruit dyes were carried out by using Lambda 35 model UV-
Visible spectrometer in the range of 200 to 1100 nm. The and
Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes are extracted by using different
medium such as methanol, ethanol and acetone corre-
sponding to samples A, B, and C respectively as shown in fig-
ures 3.1.1, 3.1.2 and 3.1.3. The UV-Visible spectra of Prunus
Dulcis fruit dye shows the narrow light absorption in the
range of 400 nm to 450 nm, Red Indian Spinach leaves dye
shows the broad absorption peak at 200 nm to 300 nm in the
UV region and sharp absorption peak at 300 nm to 450 nm in
the visible region, Red Indian Spinach fruits dye shows the
broad absorption peak at 200 nm to 350 nm in the UV
region and high absorption with wider peak at 350 nm to 500
nm in the visible region. The methanol treatment of all the
dyes exhibits the longer wavelength and broad light
absorption in the visible region but the other solvents effect
shows the smaller wavelength and narrow light absorption. A
decrease in the intensity of absorption and wavelength range Figure 3.1.3: UV –Visible absorption spectra of Red Indian Spinach fruit dye
as we go from methanol to acetone is observed. So the dye extracted by using different solvents (A- methanol, B-ethanol and C- ace-
extracted by using methanol solvent is found to be more tone).
effective compared to other solvents.
The UV -Visible spectra of sample A obtains high absorbance,
broader and longer wavelength while compared to other
samples. These results concluded that the sample A belongs to
the small band gap value compared to the other samples. The
absorption spectrum of methanol solvent in all the dyes
shows the entire visible region high absorption compared to
other solvent medium. It is a good condition for solar cell
applications. The UV-Visible absorption spectra of methanol
solvent treated of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian Spinach
leaves & Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes dipped FTO glass plate
is shown figures 3.1.4, 3.1.5 & 3.1.6 respectively. The
absorption band of the fabricated cells have shown a red shift
due to the quantum confinement of the excitons present in the
ZnO doped TiO2 compared to other nanopaste coated on FTO Figure 3.1.4: UV –Visible absorption spectra of Prunus Dulcis fruits dye
glass plate. This optical phenomenon of methanol treatment dipped FTO glass plate extracted by using methanol solvent (A-ZnO-TiO2, B-
Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2, D-Mg-TiO2, E-Ag-TiO2 and F- pureTiO2)
of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian Spinach leaves and Red

K. M. Prabu, et al., 26
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014) ISSN 2349 5359
very small peaks at 691 cm-1 and 538 cm-1 are due to the
presence of C-H bending groups in sample A & B only.
The FT-IR spectra of Red Indian Spinach leaves dye
extracted by using different solvent such as methanol,
ethanol and acetone to samples A, B, and C as shown in
figure 3.2.2. The vibrational mode of six C-C stretching at
the peak 799 cm-1, 1207 cm-1, 1598 cm-1, 1615 cm-1 and
2295 cm-1, four C-H stretching at 3026 cm-1, 3077 cm-1, 3111
cm-1 and 3162 cm-1, CH2 asymmetric stretching at 3213 cm-1,
one CH2 symmetric stretching at 3179 cm-1, six CH in plane
stretching at 1258, 1428, 1462, 1473, 1530 and 1564 cm-1,
four CH out of plane bending at 289, 782, 980 and 1000 cm-1,
two C-N stretching at 986 and 1156 cm-1, one C-N in-plane
bending at 578 cm-1, one C-N out of plane bending at 170 cm-
1, one CH2 wagging at 1225 cm-1, one CH2 twisting at 1190

Figures 3.1.5 cm-1, CH2 rocking at 884 cm-1, one CH2 scissoring at 1377 cm-
1 is observed at both samples. The weak absorption
peak at 670 cm-1 and the peak at 3422 cm-1 is associated
with –OH stretching vibration arises to sample A only. The
strongest peak at 1530 cm-1, which is bending mode of C-H
bonds only in B sample. The next strongest peak at 1462 cm-
1, corresponding to C-H stretching vibration and the peak at

2295 cm-1, which is corresponding to stretching mode of C-N

triple bond are present in samples A & B only.
The FT-IR spectra of Red Indian Spinach fruits dye is
extracted by using different solvents such as methanol,
ethanol and acetone to samples A, B, and C as shown in
figure 3.2.3. The very strong peak observed at the peak 3373
cm-1 and 3422 cm-1 may be due to the presence of bounded N
-H and O-H stretching vibration present in both samples. The
very strong peak observed at the peak 1639 cm-1 and 1366
Figures 3.1.6
cm-1 may be presence of C=O or C-N stretching in both
Figures 3.1.5 & 3.1.6: UV –Visible absorption spectra of Red Indian Spinach samples. The weak band observed at 680 cm-1 is due to the
leaves & fruit dye dipped FTO glass plate extracted by using methanol sol-
presence of C-H bending groups in both samples. The weak
vent (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2, D-Mg-TiO2, E-Ag-TiO2 and F- pure
TiO2) band occurring at 700 cm-1 is due to C-H bending in samples
A and B only. The strong bands around at 1644 cm-1 and
3.2 Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectral Analysis 1397 cm-1 may be due to the presence of C=O stretching or C
The FT-IR spectra of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian Spinach -N stretching groups in sample A only. The bands at 2959
leaves and Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes were recorded on and 2848 cm-1 may be due to C-H stretching of aliphatic
Perkin Elmer spectrometer using KBr pellet technique in the groups in both samples.
range of 4000 – 400 cm-1. The FT-IR spectra of Prunus
Dulcis fruit dye extracted by using different solvents such as
methanol, ethanol and acetone to samples A, B and C is
shown in figure 3.2.1. The strong peaks observed at 3420,
3435 and 3422 cm-1 are associated with O-H stretching
vibration rising to both samples. The strong peak around at
1639 cm-1 may be caused by C=O stretching of carboxyl
groups present in both samples. The small peaks at
1366 cm-1 were attributed to aldehyde group and peaks at
1218 cm-1 may arise by ether group as the presence of C-H
bending. The very strong band arises at 3436 and 3430 cm-
1and it may be the presence of O-H stretching or NH2

stretching of amide groups in samples A and B only. The

strong peak 1733 cm-1 is because of C=O stretching of
aldihyde groups present at C sample. The band at 1638,
1645 and 1639 cm-1 peak is due to the presence of C=O Figure 3.2.1: FT-IR spectral analysis of Prunus Dulcis fruits dye extracted
by using different solvents (A- methanol, B-ethanol and C- acetone).
stretching and C-N stretching groups in both samples. The

K. M. Prabu, et al., 27
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng.
Figure 3.2.2 FT-IR spectral analysis of Red Indian Spinach leaves and fruits
dye extracted by using different solvents (A- methanol, B-ethanol and
C- acetone).
Figure3.2.3
Figure 3.2.3: FT-IR spectral analysis of Red Indian Spinach leaves and fruits
dye extracted by using different solvents (A- methanol, B-ethanol and
C- acetone).
3.3 Photoluminescence (PL) Studies
The photoluminescence studies of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red
Indian Spinach leaves, Red Indian Spinach fruit and Opuntia
prickly pear fruit dyes were carried out by using PerkinEl-
mer LS-55 luminescence spectrophotometer equipped with
a Xenon lamp in the range of 200 nm– 1000 nm. An investi-
gation on the photoluminescence studies of dyes is impor-
tant as it can provide valuable information on the stability
and purity of the dyes. The PL investigations yield informa-
tion on the optical properties and the quality of synthesized
material and particle absorbs photons and then reradiates
photons. Photo excitation of a bulk semicon-
ductor creates exciton, bound by weak columbic interaction.
In PL spectra of Prunus Dulcis fruit dye is extracted by
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014) ISSN 2349 5359
using different solvents such as methanol, ethanol and ace-
tone to samples A, B, and C as shown in figure 3.3.1. It exhib-
its a sharp emission peak in the near UV region and a broad
band in the visible region. In the samples A, B and C the
peaks are observed at 510 nm in the green region, 490 nm in
the blue is green region and 480 nm in the blueish green
region respectively. In the PL spectra of Red Indian Spin-
ach leaves dye extracted by using different solvent such as
methanol, ethanol and acetone corresponding to samples A,
B, and C is as shown in figure 3.3.2. It exhibits a sharp emis-
sion peak in the near UV region and a broad band in the visi-
ble region. In the sample A the three emission peaks
observed are at 350 nm in the violet region, 520 nm in the
green region and 610 nm in the yellow region. The first one
corresponds to the band-edge emission. The second one is
due to artifact. The third one arises from the singly ionized
oxygen vacancy resulting in red emission of materials
because of recombination of a photo generated hole with a
singly ionized electron in valence band. In the sample B the
three emission peaks observed are at 290 nm in the NBE
region, 380 nm in the UV region and 590 nm in the yellow
region. In the sample C the three emission peaks observed
are at 280 nm in the NBE region, 380 nm in the UV region
and 570 nm in the green region.
The PL spectra of Red Indian Spinach fruit dye is extracted
by using different solvents such as methanol, ethanol and
acetone corresponding to samples A, B, and C as shown in
figure 3.3.3. In the sample A the three emission peaks ob-
served are at 400 nm in the violet region, 440 nm in the near
blue region and 640 nm in the yellow region. In the sample B
the two emission peaks observed are at 380 nm in the UV
region and 550 nm in the green region. In the sample C the
two emission peaks observed are at 370 nm in the UV region
and 540 nm in the green region. In the sample A the peaks
obtained are at high absorption at longer wavelength com-
pared to other samples in all the dyes.
Figure 3.3.1: PL studies of Prunus Dulcis fruits dye extracted by using
different solvents
(A- methanol, B-ethanol and C- acetone)
K. M. Prabu, et al., 28
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014) ISSN 2349 5359
cles formed were highly agglomerated. The spherical
shaped particles with clumped distributions are visible
through the FE-SEM analysis. It is clear that the
prepared sample A has regular spherical shape and uniform
size, good packing density compare to other samples. The
FE- SEM micrograph shows that the morphology is replete
with voids and pores, the cause of which can be traced to the
large amounts of hot gases that escape out of the reaction
mixture during combustion TiO2 with ZnO has wurtzite
structure .

Figure 3.3.2 PL studies of Red Indian Spinach leaves & fruits dye extracted
by using different solvents (A- methanol, B-ethanol and C- acetone).

Figure 3.4.1 - The FE-SEM analysis of methanol treatment of Prunus Dulcis

fruit dye dipped photo – anode (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2 , D-Mg-
TiO2, E-Ag-TiO2 and F- pure TiO2)
Figure 3.3.3: PL studies of Red Indian Spinach leaves & fruits dye extracted
by using different solvents (A- methanol, B-ethanol and C- acetone).

3.4 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

(FE-SEM) Analysis
The FE-SEM analysis of dye dipped FTO glass plate coated on
ZnO, Bi, Al, Mg, Ag doped TiO2 and pure TiO2 carried out by
using the JEOL JSM-7500F model is an ultra high resolution
field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM)
equipped with a high brightness conical FE gun and a low
aberration conical objective lens. In the FE-SEM analysis was
used to study a variety of surface effects present in em-
bossed structures, thin film coatings, and polymeric sub-
strates. The FE-SEM analysis of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red In-
dian Spinach leaves and Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes
dipped FTO glass plate coated on various oxides doped TiO2
in methanol solvent is shown figures 3.4.1, 3.4.2 & 3.4.3 re-
spectively. The film deposited from the sample A has larger
grain size rather than of other samples. Due to its higher
grain size, it exhibits lesser receptivity and also higher trans-
parency which are important for TCO applications. It
is clear that the prepared sample A has regular oval , spheri-
Figure3.4.2. The FE-SEM analysis of methanol treatment of Red Indian Spin-
cal shape and uniform size, good packing density with an ach leaves dye dipped photo – anode (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2 , D-
average size of 30 nm and one can see some coalesced Mg-TiO2, E-Ag-TiO2 and F- pure TiO2)
nanoparticles with a size of about 35 nm. The particles are
spherical in shape with uniform size. It is clear from the
image that titanium particles are evenly distributed on
the surfaces without any aggregation. The TiO2 nanoparti-

K. M. Prabu, et al., 29
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014) ISSN 2349 5359
short circuit current density is much higher than the open
circuit voltage. So, efficiency of the cells is mainly attributed
to the increased short circuit current density and results in
power conversion efficiency enhancement. In the present
study, sample A has higher conversion efficiency compared
to the other samples.

Figure 3. 5. 1. J-V Curves of Prunus Dulcis fruit dye dipped FTO glass
Figure 3.4.3 - The FE-SEM analysis of methanol treatment of Red Indian
Spinach fruit dye dipped photo – anode (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2 , plate
D-Mg-TiO2, E-Ag-TiO2 and F- pure TiO2)
3.5. Photocurrent-Voltage (I-V) Characteristics of the
DSSC
Photovoltaic measurements were carried out using a
halogen light source that was focused to one sun at Air Mass
(AM) 1.5, at the surface of the cells. The spectral output of
the lamp was matched in the region 350 nm and 800 nm
with the aid of a Schott KG-5 sunlight filter so as to reduce
the mismatch between the stimulated and the true solar
spectrum to less than 2%. The Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red
Indian Spinach leaves & Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes
dipped FTO glass plate coated on various oxides doped TiO2
in methanol solvent is shown figures 3.5.1, 3.5.2 & 3.5.3 and
corresponding Tables 3.1, 3.2 & 3.3 respectively.
The overall photo conversion efficiency (η) was calculated
from the integral photocurrent density (Jsc), the open circuit Table 3.1 Photovoltaic Parameters of Prunus Dulcis fruit dye dipped FTO
glass plate (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2 , D-Mg-TiO2, E-Ag-TiO2
photocurrent (Voc), the fill factor (ff) of the cell, and the in- and F- pure TiO2)
tensity of the incident light (Pin) using the equation,

and Pin= 150 W/cm2 at AM 1.5,

Or under full sunlight and the fill factor (ff) is given by the
equation .

Electronic coupling with ZnO doped TiO2 is best for Al and Bi

doped TiO2 nanopaste coated photo-electrode. The
importance of a blocking layer in controlling recombination
with the electrolyte has already been pointed out but in the
case of natural dyes, recombination with the oxidized dye
can be relevant. The open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit
current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF) and conversion efficiency Figure 3.5.2. J-V Curves of Red Indian Spinach leaves dye dipped FTO
(η) as of fabricated cells are tabulated. By comparing
glass plate
minimum and maximum efficiency, the improvement in

K. M. Prabu, et al., 30
 Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014)
Table 3.2 Photovoltaic Parameters of Red Indian Spinach leaves dye
dipped FTO glass plate (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2, D-Mg-TiO 2, E-
Ag-TiO2 and F- pure TiO2)
Figure 3.5.3 J-V Curves of Red Indian Spinach fruits dye dipped FTO
glass plate
Table 3.3 Photovoltaic Parameters of Red Indian Spinach fruits dye
dipped FTO glass plate (A-ZnO-TiO2, B- Al-TiO2, C- Bi-TiO2, D-Mg-TiO 2, E-
Ag-TiO2 and F- pure TiO2 )
4. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is asserted that from the UV-Visible
absorption spectra of Prunus Dulcis fruit, Red Indian
Spinach leaves and Red Indian Spinach fruit dyes, small band
gaps were seen in the entire visible region compared to
other solvent effects so it is a good condition for the
sensitized cells. All natural dyes having different functional
groups and vibration assignment have been carried out by
FT-IR spectral analysis. The PL spectra of the natural dyes in
methanol solvent give the relationship between solar
energy conversion efficiency and spectroscopic properties.
The FE-SEM results give the average particle size of pure
and synthesized nanoparticles measured as 30 nm and 25
K. M. Prabu, et al.,
ISSN 2349 5359
nm. The photovoltaic measurements were carried out the
Voc, Jsc, Vmax, Jmax, FF and overall energy conversion efficiency
(η) of the prepared dye- sensitized using Prunus Dulcis
fruit, Red Indian Spinach leaves and Red Indian Spinach fruit
dyes. This improvement of NDSSCs from pure TiO2 to ZnO
doped TiO2 nano powder has good economy, low resistance,
high reflectance and simple fabrication processes.
Experimental results clearly show that the efficiency of
DSSCs gradually increased from pure TiO2 to ZnO doped
TiO2 fabricated cells. The improved photoelectric conversion
efficiency from 0.36 % to 0.96 % was obtained from these
cells. Finally, it may be concluded that the sample-A showed
excellent solar energy conversion efficiency compared to
other samples for all natural dyes.
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