The Effect of Quasi-solid State Electrolytes used on The Efficiency of Curcuma longa Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Prima Fitri Rusliani (a), Eka Cahya Prima (b*), Endi Suhendi (a), Wiendartun (a)
a. Department of Physics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia.
b. Departement of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia.
*ekacahyaprima[at]upi.edu
Abstract
Energy scarcity is a challenge for humans to determine cheap, abundant, and environmentally friendly renewable energy. Renewable energy alternatives can develop in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with photosensitizers extracted from natural materials. This study aims to determine the effect of quasi-solid state electrolytes on the efficiency of DSSC. The DSSC was fabricated using thin-film layer TiO2 as semiconductor photoelectrode, a photosensitizer Curcuma longa (turmeric), and two different electrolytes such as liquid electrolyte and quasi-solid state electrolyte that was made of 0.1 M lithium oxide, 0.05 iodine, 0.6 M 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodine, 0.5 M 4-tetra-butyl pyridine, polyethylene oxide. Sample characterization had carried out using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer to determine the absorbance spectrum of dye and a standard solar simulator AM 1.5 filter 100 mWcm2 to determine curve J-V and its electrical properties. The absorbance spectrum of Curcuma longa lies at a wavelength of 419 nm. The efficiency of DSSC using liquid and quasi-solid state electrolytes are 2.27% and 4.30%, respectively. The reason for that is the instability of the liquid electrolyte that causes the electron transfer cycle in the process of converting solar energy into electrical energy to be disrupted. Therefore, the use of quasi-solid state electrolytes that possess a high conductivity and material stability can improve the performance of DSSC as an alternative to renewable.
Keywords: Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC)- Curcuma longa- Electrolytes- Quasi-solid State.
