Effects of Sensitization with Natural Pigments on the Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)

Three natural pigments including wild iris, black pomegranate bark and black grapes were used as sensitizer in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2 nanoparticles. The results showed that the DSSC made of black pomegranate bark was more efficient than the other cells due to its strong bonding with TiO2 nanoparticles. Longer electron lifetime, lower electron recombination, and lower internal resistance were the other causes of this improvement. These factors produced greater efficacy (energy conversion efficiency of 1.70%, short circuit current density (JSC) of 4.08 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.541 V and Fill Factor of 77%) in DSSCs sensitized with black pomegranates bark. Whereas, wild Lily pigment with corresponding values of 0.59%, 2.122 mA/cm2, 0.331V and 84% respectively, had the lowest efficiency. Also, black grape pigment sensitized cell with average conversion efficiency of 1.41%, current density of 4.57 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage of 0.377 V and Fill Factor of 82% had moderate performance.