A dye sensitized solar cell using natural counter electrode and natural dye derived from mangosteen peel waste

Wasan Maiaugree; Seksan Lowpa; Madsakorn Towannang; Phikun Rutphonsan; Apishok Tangtrakarn; Samuk Pimanpang; Prapen Maiaugree; Nattawat Ratchapolthavisin; Wichien Sang-Aroon; Wirat Jarernboon; Vittaya Amornkitbamrung

doi:10.1038/srep15230

A dye sensitized solar cell using natural counter electrode and natural dye derived from mangosteen peel waste

Sci Rep. 2015 Oct 13:5:15230. doi: 10.1038/srep15230.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
² Integrated Nanotechnology Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
³ Nanotec-KKU Center of Excellence on Advanced Nanomaterials for Energy Production and Storage, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
⁴ Chumchon Ban Phon Ngam School, Akat Amnui District, Sakon Nakhon 47170, Thailand.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Khon Kaen Campus, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand.

Abstract

Mangosteen peel is an inedible portion of a fruit. We are interested in using these residues as components of a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Carbonized mangosteen peel was used with mangosteen peel dye as a natural counter electrode and a natural photosensitizer, respectively. A distinctive mesoporous honeycomb-like carbon structure with a rough nanoscale surface was found in carbonized mangosteen peels. The efficiency of a dye sensitized solar cell using carbonized mangosteen peel was compared to that of DSSCs with Pt and PEDOT-PSS counter electrodes. The highest solar conversion efficiency (2.63%) was obtained when using carbonized mangosteen peel and an organic disulfide/thiolate (T2/T(-)) electrolyte.