Preparation of natural dyes from salvia and spathodea for TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and their electrochemical impedance spectroscopic study under light and dark conditions

Abstract

In this research investigation, natural dyes have been prepared from salvia and spathodea flowers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). TiO2 nanosphere-based thin films were prepared using the doctor blade method and the natural dyes were loaded on TiO2 nanospheres. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and J-V measurement, respectively. This study has been used for device fabrication. The results show that the fabricated dye improves efficiency of solar cells. Electrochemical properties were studied under dark and light conditions and the optical properties of TiO2-based DSSCs were also studied. The efficiency of solar cells increases by using the fabricated natural dyes. As far as the advantage of using natural dyes is concerned, they can be beneficial for future bio-photovoltaic technology.