Investigating the electron tunneling effect on photovoltaic performance of almond (Prunus dulcis) dye-sensitized solar cell

T J Abodunrin; O O Ajayi; M E Emetere; A P I Popoola; U O Uyor; O Popoola

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02961

Investigating the electron tunneling effect on photovoltaic performance of almond (Prunus dulcis) dye-sensitized solar cell

Heliyon. 2020 Jan 3;6(1):e02961. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02961. eCollection 2020 Jan.

Authors

T J Abodunrin¹, O O Ajayi², M E Emetere¹, A P I Popoola³, U O Uyor⁴, O Popoola⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.
³ Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nzukka, Nigeria.
⁵ Centre for Energy and Electric Power, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are characterized by several special attributes such as low cost, ease of fabrication, all year availability of sunlight, and capacity to operate under diffuse lighting conditions. However, their universal adoption is still restricted by a low efficiency photovoltaic output. Thus, this research seeks to explore avenues of present photon mitigation which could be corrected in future DSSC technology in order to improve on existing efficiency records. A preliminary phytochemical screening of Prunus dulcis (P. dulcis) leaf extract revealed a variety of chromophores which renders high possibility for charge transport. UV/VIS spectroscopy showed P. dulcis with peak absorbance wavelength within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum of light. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy specifically highlighted the fingerprint of the chromophores present in this organic extract. Photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit current (I_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), maximum power (P_max), fill factor (ff) and efficiency (ƞ) were the factors taken into consideration for the determination of the photovoltaic outcome. In P. dulcis DSSCs, KBr electrolyte recorded the best ƞ of 10.18%. However, P. dulcis DSSC with electrolyte KI indicated the best I_sc, V_oc and P_max of 0.135 mA, 280 mV and 34.2 mW respectively. The similarity of this photovoltaic result with previous DSSC results necessitated further analysis. Consequently, scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of P. dulcis was modelled first with Gwyddion software and this output was analyzed with Excel and Origin programs. The outcome is a scientific discovery of electron tunneling in the P. dulcis shells, effect of dopant ions boosting the electrolytic Fermi level and a high probability of influencing the future efficiency outcome in P. dulcis DSSCs. Using mathematical algorithms from the Origin and Excel software applications, a direct function of the impact of doping, relative speed of electrolyte molecules as they percolate P. dulcis framework was obtained. Thus, the significance of this work lies in the relationship of behavioral dynamics of dopants to photovoltaic performance of P. dulcis. This indicates that a vital optical tunable characteristic of DSSCs lies in electrodynamics of dopant ions, which presents a viable prospect for application in DSSC technology research.

Keywords: Chemistry; Dopant; Efficiency; Electron tunneling; Energy; Energy harvesting; Materials science; Photovoltaic technology; Physics.