International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 07 | July -2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Fabrication and performance evaluation of Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using TiO2 incorporated with Ag nanoparticles V. Maneesh Reddy1 and D. Subba Rao2* 1Student,
Department of Chemical Engineering, JNTUA, AP, India Department of Chemical Engineering, JNTUA, A.P, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***------------------------------------------------------------------2Professor,
oven at 60˚C for 30 min and calcined in a muffle furnace for 3 hours at 400˚C to yield the anatase TiO2 phase [6].
Abstract - Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is the latest
development in solar cells which attracts researchers due to low cost and nontoxic nature. In this paper, Ag incorporated TiO2 was used as photoelectrode and hibiscus as dye to fabricate the DSSC. The effect of silver on the output of DSSC was evaluated. UV-Vis spectra characterization was done to confirm the nanoparticles. Key Words: Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Nanoparticles, Photoelectrode, UV-Vis spectra.
2.3 Synthesis of Ag nanoparticles Silver nitrate (AgNO3) and trisodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) were used as precursors for the preparation of silver nanoparticles by using chemical reduction method. 50 ml of 0.001 M AgNO3 solution was heated to boil. To this solution 5 ml of 1% Na3C6H5O7 was added drop by drop and stirred continuously while heating until the change of colour was observed. Then it was removed from the heating device and stirred until it cooled to room temperature [7-9].
(DSSC),
1. INTRODUCTION The day-to-day increase in demand for energy requires more supply of energy [1]. It is mainly generated from non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. The usage of non-renewable energy sources emits greenhouse gases and other pollutants which affect the environment. In order to save the environment there is a need to reduce the pollution by developing clean and eco-friendly technologies using renewable energy sources [2].
2.4 Synthesis of Dye solution Hibiscus flowers were shadow dried and the dried flowers were dipped in boiling distilled water until the formation of colour solution was observed. The obtained solution was used in the fabrication of DSSC.
2.5 Synthesis of Electrolyte
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) belongs to a group of thin film solar cells [3-4]. It works on the principle of photosynthesis in plants. There are different types of dyes available. They are synthetic dyes and natural dyes [5]. In this paper, natural dye was choosen.
0.127 gm of Iodine (I2) was added to 10 ml of ethylene glycol. After that 0.83 gm of Potassium Iodide was added and sonicated for 30 min for homogeneous mixing [10].
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
2.6 Preparation of Electrodes
2.1 Materials
0.2 gm of TiO2 powder was ground for 30 min. Subsequently, 12 drops of glacial acetic acid, one drop of Triton X-100 and about 1.5 ml of ethanol was added until the mixture became a creamy paste. Ag nano colloidal solution was added to the paste [7] and sonicated for 1 hour to obtain a homogeneous mixture. This mixture was coated onto Fluorine doped Tin Oxide (FTO) glass restricting the cell active area 1cm2. Dye solution was added to the coated area and the cell was dried. This forms the photo-electrode.
Ethanol, Titanium Tetra Iso Propoxide (TTIP), Silver Nitrate, Trisodium Citrate, Iodine, Potassium Iodide, Triton X 100, Glacial Acetic acid. All the chemicals used were of analytical grade.
2.2 Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles Ethanol (150 ml) and 3.75 ml of deionized water were added and stirred for half an hour till formation of homogenous solution. 9 ml of TTIP was added drop wise into the homogeneous mixture. The reaction mixture was kept under agitation for 4 hours at 85˚C under magnetic stirring. Later, the sample was dried in a hot air
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Counter electrode was prepared by depositing carbon on FTO glass using candle flame.
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