Dye-sensitized solar cells using dye extracted from male flower of cured banana (Musa x paradisiaca L.)

Hermansyah Aziz*, Atika Putri

Abstract

A research on natural dye extracted from male flowers of cured banana (Musa x paradisiaca L.) as a photosensitizer in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has been conducted. The solar cell was constructed with components consisting of working electrode ZnO, counter electrode graphite and electrolyte solution I- / I3 -. The natural dye of male flower of cured banana extract showed an absorbtion bands in the UV-Vis region of spectrum (200-700 nm) where is the maximum wavelength found at 529 nm. Parameters of the DSSC such as voltage, electric current, and power based on soaking time (5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes) were measured. It was found that the soaking time of 20 minutes was the optimum condition gave voltage of 349 mV, the current of 0.021 mA, and power of 7.329 mV. In the current vs voltage graph for the entire investigation soaking time it was found that a short circuit current is generated within the range of 0.0025 to 0.02 mA whereas for open circuit range is from 155 to 332 mV. Furthermore, where is the DSSC was soaked in 5 minutes gave the higher number of fill factor (FF) but the highest efficiency was observed from one which was soaked in 20 minutes.