Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2013, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (03): 539-545.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201212254

• ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND NEW ENERGY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of pH Values on Performance of Trollius Chinensis Pigment Sensitized Solar Cells

YANG Gui-Jun1, WANG Shen-Rui2, ZHANG Yong-Chang3, WANG Gang1, CHEN Hui-Yuan1, NAN Hui1, LIN Hong3   

  1. 1 Collage of Chemical Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai 810016, P. R. China;
    2 Collage of Material, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China;
    3 State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics & Fine Processing, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084,P. R. China
  • Received:2012-10-09 Revised:2012-12-25 Published:2013-02-25
  • Supported by:

    The project was supported by the Kunlun Scholar Program of Qinghai, China, Sanjiangyuan Scientific Program of Qinghai Science & Technology Department, China (2010-N-S03), and International Cooperation Program of Qinghai Science & Technology Department, China (2011-H-802).

Abstract:

Trollius chinensis pigment was extracted, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that anthocyanin compounds were the main components. Dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were sensitized from the natural pigments dissolved in different pH solutions. Open-circuit voltage increased with increasing pH,while short-circuit current density first increased and then decreased, attributed to an anthocyanin structural change with pH value. The highest observed power conversion efficiency was 0.292% at pH=5.

Key words: Dye sensitized solar cell, Natural pigment, pH value, Trollius chinensis, Photovoltaic perfomance