Natural Photosensitizers on TiO2 Films for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

In this work, the effect of three natural photosensitizers (dyes of beetischolar_main, grapes and pomegranate) over TiO₂ thin film are investigated. Natural dyes were extracted from beetischolar_main, grapes and pomegranate and mixed with ethanol and coated over TiO₂ thin films prepared by Spray pyrolysis method from titanium diisopropoxide precursors at 450^oC. and kept in each dye extract for 15 hours. The optical absorbance and transmittance of dye sensitized TiO₂ thin films determined by UV-visible spectroscopic method, indicated the presence of increased light transmission in the visible spectrum region. The energy band gap (Eg) for TiO₂ thin films sensitized with dyes of beetischolar_main, grapes and pomegranate were found to be 3.18eV, 3.12 eV and 3.14 eV respectively. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells constructed with natural pigments from fruits and vegetables will enhance light harvesting.