International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 09 Issue: 08 | Aug 2022
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY OF DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS (DSSC’S) MADE USING COFFEE ARABICA POWDER AND PULP WASTE AS SENSITIZER WITH SUNSCREEN CREAM AS SEMICONDUCTOR SOURCE Prathima Mathias D.A.*1, Anusha S.2, Kavya K.2 and Sandeepa K.2 Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, I.D.S.G. Government College, Chikkamagaluru 02, Karnataka, India. 2 M.Sc. (IV sem), Department of Chemistry, I.D.S.G. Government College, Chikkamagaluru 02, Karnataka, India. ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------1
Abstract - The main aim of this research paper was to
starch and naturally available materials like coffee pulp waste and coffee powder as dye sensitizer to make our DSSC’s economical, easily handle able and environmental friendly.
investigate the efficiency of DSSC’s made using locally available dye stuff. Bioplastic support material made using starch was impregnated with two types of dyes. First dye was coffee pulp waste and the second one was coffee powder which is not adulterated. Himalaya men natural bright cream (SPF 15*) was used as TiO2 semiconductor source. I-/I2 solution was taken as the electrolyte. Carbon black coated bio plastic was used as counter electrode. Electrode – 2 with Pmax 0.082 and Cell efficiency (ɳ %) 0.244 was more efficient in comparison to the Electrode – 1 with Pmax 0.065 and Cell efficiency (ɳ %) 0.192. The cells had very less stability for days endurance study. Further investigations on these green DSSC’s can help improve their performance.
2. EXPERIMENTAL 2.1
2.5 g of pure starch, 25 cm3 of distilled water followed 2 cm3 of hydrochloric acid and 2 cm3 of propan-1,2,3-triol were added to a beaker and gently boiled for 15 minutes, with a watch glass being put on top of the beaker, to prevent evaporation of water. The pH of the mixture was neutralized using dilute sodium hydroxide. It was then left under a laminar air flow for 2 days to dry out. After two days, plasticized starch in sheet form was obtained9.
Key Words: DSSC’s, Bio plastic, bio polymer, TiO2
1.INTRODUCTION
2.2
Alternate energy resources are recommended for any country’s growth. Fossil fuels have depleted over years due to over consumption. Abundantly available natural energy resource i.e. the solar energy is best and cheap alternative. However, harnessing the same is the biggest challenge. Researchers are focusing on third generation solar cells which are the Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC’s). A suitable dye, a photo anode made from semiconductor, any counter electrode and a good electrolyte are the basic parts of the cell. Many research papers with variations in these parameters are available in the literature1-8. Coffee is a one among the commercial crops grown in Chikkamagaluru of Karnataka state. Hasby et. al. reported HOMO and LUMO (energy gap) obtained for two samples as 3.37919316 eV and 0.28792381 eV. The anthocyanin compounds extracted from Gayo Arabica Coffee husks are potential photosensitizers in DSSC1. Coffee has components that are effective dye sensitizers. The efficiency of DSSC’s can be improved by drying electrolyte solutions and uniformly distributing semiconductor, dye and counter electrode material. Using a natural bio plastic for hosting all essential components will surely improve the efficiency of DSSC’s. In this paper we have tried to using bioplastics made with
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Synthesis of bio plastic
Preparation of dye-Sensitizer Solutions Coffee robusta’s coffee pulp of was obtained from local pulping agencies and the liquid was used as such. Coffee powder made from robusta variety which was free from all sorts of adulteration. It was boiled in hot water and filtered. The filtrate used as dye source.
2.3
Preparation of Electrodes
The conductive glass plates (FTO glass, fluorine-doped SnO2, sheet resistance 8-12 Ω/cm2) were purchased from Aldrich. The above prepared bio plastic sheets were cut into square wafers. Few were uniformly smeared with Himalaya men natural bright cream (SPF 15*) as TiO2 source to make them as photo anodes and others were smeared with candle black carbon to form the counter electrode. The bio plastic smeared with sunscreen was then dipped in coffee pulp, dried and excess was washed with alcohol. 2.4
Assembling
Spectrophotometric grade chemicals and regents were used as received. Iodine (0.1 M), potassium iodide (0.05 M) 3-methoxypropionitrile (0.05 M) in acetonitrile (50 mL)
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