Natural dyes for dye sensitized solar cell: A review

Dye sensitized solar cell converts visible light into electricity using sensitization of the cell. Performances of dye sensitized solar cells are mainly based on dye used as a sensitizer. Now a days study of dyes extracted from natural resources is the main concern for researchers. Application of natural dyes is a promising development in the field of this technology. Natural dyes are cutting down high cost of metal complex sensitizers and also replacing expensive chemical synthesis process through simple extraction process. Natural dyes are abundant, easily extractable, safe material causes no environment threat. These can be extracted from flowers petals, leaves, roots and barks in the form of anthocyanin, carotenoid, flavonoid and chlorophyll pigments. This review discusses development of natural dyes and their effect on various performance parameters of dye sensitized solar cell.