Dye and activated carbon from Canarium ovatum Engl. as photosensitizer and counter electrode for Titania-based dye sensitized solar cell

Abstract Natural dye from exocarp and activated carbon from charred shells of Canarium ovatum Engl nut was used in the fabrication of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Anatase titania (titanium dioxide, TiO 2 ) nanoparticles was used as semiconducting layer deposited on a transparent conductive indium tin oxide glass using doctor blade method. TiO 2 film thickness and soaking time in dye were varied to show response in terms of fill factor (FF), short circuit current density (J sc ), open circuit photovoltage (V oc ), and conversion efficiency (η). In a 2.0 cm 2 active surface area tested under solar irradiance, assembled DSSC at optimum conditions garnered 0.768 desirability with FF, J sc , V oc and n values of 0.601, 6.293 mA/cm 2 , 0.446 V, and 1.792, respectively.