Fabrication and comparison of dye-sensitized solar cells by using TiO ₂ and ZnO as photo electrode

Five natural dyes were extracted from the peels of Malus domestica, Punica granatum, Phoenix dactylifera, Raphanus sativus and Solanum melongena by maceration in methanol for application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Their photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were investigated. Thin layers of nano materials ZnO and TiO ₂ were deposited on FTO glasses by doctor's blade technique. These films were dipped in the dye solution bath for twenty-four hours. The results verified that Solanum melongena dye has better efficiency 1.10% as compared to other dyes. We also investigated that TiO ₂ is a better photoelectrode as compared to ZnO. By using Solanum melongena andTiO ₂ nanoparticles we found 1.10% efficiency and 0.67% by using ZnO as photoelectrode. The results indicate that TiO ₂ is a better photoelectrode as compare to ZnO. Lower efficiency of the natural dyes as compared to synthetic dyes may be due to lower active contents for DSSCs.