Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using Bixa orellana seed extract and its application for solar cells

Abstract

Mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanoparticles are the best photoanode materials for high performance DSSC. Chemical and physical methods used for the preparation of TiO2 nanoparticles suffer with environment related issues e.g. use of toxic solvents, hazardous by-products and consumptions of high energy. We have synthesized mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanoparticles from Titanium (IV) butoxide solution using Bixa orellana seed extract and further used it for making DSSC photoanode. The method offers environment friendly, cheaper and efficient DSSC. Structure, morphology, size and porosity of TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and N2 sorption measurements. The amount of dye loading by TiO2 was obtained using desorption technique which revealed much higher dye loading for the plant seed grown nanoparticles (G-TNP). TNP and G-TNP demonstrated photovoltaic conversion efficiencies 1.03% and 2.97% respectively. This study therefore demonstrates that the synthesized mesoporous anatase TiO2 naoparticles can serve as promising photoanode materials for DSSC applications. © 2019 International Solar Energy Society