Development of dye-sensitized solar cells based on naturally extracted dye from the maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis)

The mini modules of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated for their conversion efficiency using anthocyanin-enriched extracts from maqui berry, which to date has never been tested in a DSSC. Anthocyanins are a group of red, purple, violet and blue water-soluble polyphenolic pigments w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Optical materials Vol. 60; pp. 411 - 417
Main Authors:	Leyrer, Julio, Hunter, Renato, Rubilar, Monica, Pavez, Boris, Morales, Eduardo, Torres, Simonet
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier B.V 01-10-2016
Subjects:	Anthocyanins DSSC Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) Natural dye Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) Anthocyanins Natural dye DSSC
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Summary:	The mini modules of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated for their conversion efficiency using anthocyanin-enriched extracts from maqui berry, which to date has never been tested in a DSSC. Anthocyanins are a group of red, purple, violet and blue water-soluble polyphenolic pigments widely found in berry fruits. Maqui berries are a particularly rich source. The aqueous extract concentrations of maqui fruit were tested at 750 and 1500 mg of anthocyanin/L. The immersion time to produce sensitized TiO2 film was 8 h. According to the experimental results, the conversion efficiency of the DSSC prepared with 750 mg of anthocyanin/L was 0.14%, with an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.43 V, a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 0.38 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.450. The conversion efficiency attained with 1500 mg of anthocyanin/L was 0.19%, with (VOC) of 0.45 V, (JSC) of 0.44 mA/cm2 and FF of 0.55. Therefore, a higher concentration brought about a higher photosensitized performance. The maqui extracts were successfully dye sensitized over a layer of TiO2 nanoparticles, providing useful information for further studies related to the use of natural pigments as sensitizers for solar cells. •Efficiency results of a DSSC using a new natural extract.•The anthocyanin of maqui composition by HPLC-MS and spectral characteristics.•Statistical analysis of the factors involved in the fabrication of the DSSC.•An assembly methodology for DSSC using a natural extract.•Direct relation between the anthocyanin concentration and performance of the DSSC.
ISSN:	0925-3467 1873-1252
DOI:	10.1016/j.optmat.2016.08.021