Analysis of Chameleonic Change of Red Cabbage Depending on Broad pH Range for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2015 Aug;15(8):5840-4. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2015.10480.

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled using natural dyes extracted from red cabbage as a sensitizer. In this work, we investigated the adsorption characteristics and the electrochemical behavior for harvesting sunlight and electron transfer in red cabbage DSSCs under different solvents and pH. For the red cabbage dye-sensitized electrode adsorbed at pH 3.5, the solar cell yields a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 1.60 mA/cm2, a photovoltage (Vcc) of 0.46 V, and a fill factor of 0.55, corresponding to an energy conversion efficiency (η) of 0.41%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brassica / chemistry*
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Coloring Agents / isolation & purification
  • Coloring Agents / radiation effects
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrodes
  • Energy Transfer / radiation effects
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Light
  • Materials Testing
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / radiation effects
  • Solar Energy*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Plant Extracts