Areca catechu extracted natural new sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell: performance evaluation

This paper reports the optical and photovoltaic traits of a new type of natural organic dye sensitizer derived from the Malaysian Areca catechu (Pinang) fruit. The photovoltaic potential of this dye was determined by fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In this work, the effects of various concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and solvent types on the photovoltaic efficiency of this dye were evaluated. Methanol was the best solvent, obtaining the highest absorbance from natural dye. The absorption analyses showed the excellent dye-stabilizing capacity of CDCA. The Fourier-transform infrared spectra revealed the presence of hydroxyl and carboxylic functional groups in the extracted natural dye, which were shown to be responsible for imparting the stronger electronic coupling and rapid electron transfer upon interaction with the TiO₂ surface. The photoluminescence spectral analyses of the dye showed that the inclusion of CDCA as a co-adsorbent can produce a large photocurrent through the narrowing of the band gap. Device performance was measured as a function of co-adsorbent content at the loading times of 0 and 30 min. The efficiency measured after adding CDCA and 30 min of loading time was 0.118%, with short-circuit current density (J_sc) = 0.3 mA/cm², open circuit voltage (V_oc) = 0.536 V, and fill factor (FF) = 73.5%. This short disclosure may contribute towards the development of a natural dye-based efficient DSSC.