Abstract

Metal free sensitizers extracted from the natural sources of Agaricus bisporus (Mushroom) and Citrus limonum (Lemon) leaves in a methanol medium has been employed as a photo-sensitizer in the assembly of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The performance of both the individual dyes and as well as hybrid mixture of both dyes in an equimolar (1:1) ratio have been carried out. The hybrid dye sensitizer (Agaricus bisporus and Citrus limonum leaves extract) has broad absorbance in visible region which is confirmed using UV Visible spectrum. The functional groups in the extracted natural dyes are determined from FT-IR studies. The anatase phase and structural property of TiO2 was examined using XRD analysis. The titanium dioxide photoanodes was deposited on FTO by doctor-blade method and platinum counter electrode was deposited on FTO using electron beam evaporation technique. The photovoltaic performance of the extracted natural dyes was tested using solar simulator under one sun conditions. The photo-conversion efficiency of the hybrid dye trends to have a little effect of high performance over individual metal free natural dyes.