Use of Natural Sensitizers of TiO₂-Nanocrystalline Semiconductor for the Construction of DSSC

This work describes the electrical behavior of dye sensitized solar cells manufactured with TiO₂-nanocrystalline semiconductor sensitized with diverse natural tints. A number of natural sensitizers have been tested, including red fruits as blackberries, hibiscus and beet in order to comprehend the relationship between anthocyanin and electron transfer and green vegetables as spinach and grass, as well as for known the relationship between chlorophyll and electron transfer. The nanocrystalline semiconductor was characterized by XRD, FTIR and SEM. The bands observed at 931, 667 and 514 cm¹ in the FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of Ti-O-Ti bonds. From DRX analysis it is confirmed the presence of TiO₂ in its anatase form. This study confirms the great potential of the use of organic dyes for sensitized the TiO₂-semiconductor. Principally, in blackberries it has reached values around 300 mV owing to high concentrations of purple pigment due to the molecule called anthocyanin and the anchoring properties of the anthocyanin with the TiO₂-nanocrystalline semiconductor.