Comparison in the open-circuit voltage and current density output between anthicyanin-based and chlorophyll-based dye-sensitized solar cells

Date

5-2026

Principal

Buela, Mabel S.

Abstract

The search for clean and renewable energy sources has been increasingly relevant in a society strained by a series of energy crises due to overreliance on fossil fuels. One of the most explored energy resources is solar energy due to its inherent availability and low-cost nature. This study evaluated the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using chlorophyll extracted from green waste and anthocyanin extracted from alugbati fruit as natural dye sensitizers. Specifically, the study aimed to find the optimal dye extraction methods, to measure outputs of natural DSSCs, and to assess the difference in performance between the fabricated DSSCs. Open-circuit voltage (VOC) and current density (J) were the primary parameters measured under controlled conditions. The paper chromatography test determined the optimal extraction ratios of 1:7 for green waste and 1:1 for alugbati. Three solar cells per pigment were fabricated using a TiO2 anatase photoanode, carbon soot counter electrode, and an electrolyte. Anthocyanin-based cells outperformed chlorophyll-based cells across all parameters, recording a mean J and VOC values of 0.00025 μA/cm2 and 0.02447 V, compared to 0.00013 μA/cm2 and 0.01459 V for chlorophyll-based cells. A Welch’s t-test returned p-values 0.3081 and 0.2881 for VOC and J respectively, indicating that there is no statistically significant difference at α = 0.05, most likely due to the small sample size. Nevertheless, the consistent performance advantage of anthocyanin-based cells is likely due to stronger electron injection efficiency to its carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups. These findings suggest anthocyanin from alugbati is a greater option for a sustainable, cost-effective sensitizer for DSSC applications. Future studies may utilize a larger sample size to reduce the margin of discrepancy across results, and discover more refined dye extraction methods.

Language

English

Location

UP Rural High School

Document Type

Capstone

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