Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Non-renewable energy, despite being affordable, is limited and can easily be depleted. And

fully relying to this energy is putting the world energy demand at risk. Thus, there is a need for a

cleaner and renewable source of energy.

Solar energy technologies has provide the world alternative sources of energy. It is converted

into electric energy through sensitization of wide-band-gap semiconductors by using dye-

sensitized solar cells (DSSC). (M. Sokolsk)

Commercial solar cells are sold to use solar energy as a replacement to the direct usage of

electricity and can save some. However, these are sold expensively that others can’t afford to

purchase it. But some researchers found out that some materials like dye mixed with Titanium

dioxide (TiO2) have the ability to absorb energy from the sun to produce electricity.

A conventional crystalline silicon solar cell (as of 2005) electric contracts were made from

busbars and fingers of are printed on the silicon wafer. On the other hand, dye-sensitized solar

cells especially dye from Alugbati seeds (Basellarubra Linn) are considered a real alternative to

the well-established silicon-based solar cells. Sensitized dye from the plant has a dark color

which is a good absorber of heat and solar energy. Utilizing a synthetic dye as the key

component will convert sunlight into electricity via a complex electrochemical process. Their

working principle is closely related to photosynthesis. Photovoltaic devices are based on the

concept of change separation at an interface of two materials of different conduction mechanism.

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Furthermore, sensitized dye from plant with TiO2 that was tested will be a good alternative

for expensive and commercially sold solar cells. With the advancement of related fields, the

development of these solar cells is possible with the ultimate goal of reducing the use of direct

electricity and support the use of natural and cheaper electricity producer.

From a very early stage, the development of the dye-sensitized solar cell was linked closely

to the use of ionic liquids as the electrolyte, as their favorable properties made them the obvious

materials of choice for this purpose. Dye sensitized solar cells attracted much attention due to

their low cost manufacturing, fabrication on flexible substrate and simple construction.

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

1.2 Research Objectives

A. General Objective

The main objective of this study is to test the effectivity of Dye-sensitized solar cells using

Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract.

Specifically, it aims to:

1. To determine of Dye-sensitized solar cells using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract

as a natural Dye a good absorber of solar energy?

2. To verify if Dye-sensitized solar cells using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract as a

natural dye can convert solar energy collected into electricity.

3. To compare if Dye-sensitized solar cells using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract as

a natural dye be more effective than standard Silicon solar cells.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

A. General Problem

The main problem of this study does the extract of Mayana (Coleus blumei) effective as a

natural dye sensitizer for Dye-sensitized solar cells

Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. Does Dye-sensitized solar cells using Mayana (Coleus blumei) as a natural dye, a good

absorber of solar energy.

2. Does Dye-sensitized solar cells using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract as a natural

dye can convert solar energy collect into electricity.

3. Does Dye-sensitized solar cells using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract as a natural

dye be more efficient than Silicon solar cells.

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

1.4 Null Hypothesis

Based on the statement of the problem the following hypothesis were formulated:

1. The Dye-sensitized solar cell using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract is not a good

absorber of solar energy.

2. The Dye-sensitized solar cell using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract cannot

convert solar energy collected into electricity.

3. The Dye-sensitized solar cell using Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract is less

efficient than Silicon solar cells.

1.5 Assumptions

It is assumed that Mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves extract would respond to be a potential

source of energy and can produce electrical energy through the use of the Dye-sensitized

solar cells.

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

1.6 Conceptual Framework

Concentration of Dye Fabrication and Effectivity of sensitized

(50%, 75%, Pure Characterization of dye
extract) DSSC

Figure 1.1 A schematic diagram for conceptual framework of the study Effectiveness of

Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell.

Figure above shows the different concentrations from Mayana leaves that were extracted

from the plant. The extracts were fabricated and characterized to determine its effectivity.

Then, the dye with the highest voltage was identified.

1.7 Scope and Limitations

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Initially, this study will confine itself to testing the effectiveness of mayana leaf extract as

a catalyst for an alternative to silicone solar cells. The purpose of the findings is to compare

mayana leaf extract effectivness to silicone solar cells, the study will not be applicable to

other types of solar cells. Moreover, this study can be subjected to other interpretations.

1.8 Significance of the Study

Electricity is one of the most important things that make this world progress. Electricity

source becomes lesser and lesser as population increases. These make it more expensive and

people suffer shortage. Commercial solar panels arise and been used worldwide and helped

control the distribution of energy for electricity. Dye sensitized solar cells are a third generation

photovoltaic solar cell that converts any visible light into electrical energy. Researchers

discovered sensitized dye added with TiO2 to be a good alternative and a cheaper replacement

for the commercial solar cells.

Dye sensitized solar cells is disrupting technology that can be used to produce electricity,

enabling the users to convert both artificial and natural light into energy to power a broad range

of electronic devices (GCELL, 2012). This new class of advance solar cells can be likened to

artificial photosynthesis due to the way at in which it mimics nature’s absorption of light energy.

Sensitized dye solar cells are extracted from plants especially from Mayana (Coleus blumei).

Humanity uses commercially sold solar cells to reduce usage of direct electricity but they spend

a lot of money to buy one. Sensitized dye solar cells are effective like the commercial ones but

cost cheaper.

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Sensitized dye solar cells when used widely across the world will lessen the use of direct

electricity and be a good alternative and a cheaper solar cell. This study will help the humanity

by reducing consumption of direct electricity and use dye from plants in another useful way. This

inexpensive and eco-friendly nano-material has no trouble with its resources. This project also

helps agricultural industries to make their plants more useful widely in the country. This material

makes it possible for home owners to use the sun’s energy to power everyday life.

This study also helps the economy of the country to lessen the consumption of electricity

and this helps the environment for a cleaner and greener surroundings. It’s long been known that

renewable energy is the way of the future. As the supply of fossil fuels dwindle and increased

scrutiny pollution, climate change, and health issues, the cost continues to rise but local utilities

have already begun to use alternatives and this could be a great one.

1.9 Definitions of Key Terms

Dye. It is a natural or synthetic substance used to add color or to change the color of

something (Oxford Dictionary, n.d.).

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Effectiveness of Mayana (Coleus blumei) Leaves Extract as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Photovoltaic. According to International Scientific Vocabulary (ISV) this utilizes the

generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar

substances.

Sensitized dye. This type of dye is mixed with TiO2 and was designed to react more

badly in absorbing sun’s solar energy.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2). A mixture of substances that were mixed to the dye to have a

good reaction with the absorption of sun’s energy.