New dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on BiVO4 film and bixin natural dye

Abstract

A new pathway to develop dye-sensitized solar cells is presented using bixin, lithium perchloride (LiClO4) and bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) formed electrochemically. Optical analysis showed the BiVO4 film has a 2.37 eV band gap, suitable for visible sunlight. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the film is crystalline with a monoclinic phase. At the same time, morphological characterization carried out by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) showed that the film is porous and formed by particles measuring around 200 nm. Complete (photo)electrochemical studies were carried out for the photoanode, electrolyte, and bixin dye solution to evaluate the charge transfer energies of each solar cell component. BiVO4/bixin film photovoltaic devices were fabricated using iodide/triiodide redox mediators and compared with dye-free BiVO4 cells. Adding LiClO4 to the electrolyte enhanced solar cell performance. Thus, the results presented in this paper indicate that solar cells formed by BiVO4/bixin can be considered promising devices for converting solar energy into electrical current.