Performance Improvements of Bixin and Metal-Bixin Complexes Sensitized Solar Cells by 1-Methyl-3-propylimidazolium Iodide in Electrolyte System

Bixin is one of the potential natural sensitizers used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, bixin was complexed with Cu(II) and Zn(II) to increase its stability. The formation complexes indicated by shifting peaks absorption changes fine spectral structure observed from UV-Vis spectra. metal-bixin complex occurs due interaction between ester groups metal. Bixin, Cu-bixin, Zn-bixin were separately as DSSCs. DSSCs performance then improved adding 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (MPII) electrolyte system. presence MPII 0.4 M KI-I2 produced a higher ionic conductivity value (20.44 mS cm–1) than that without (11.14 cm–1). This system significantly performance. Under light intensity 300 W/m2, maximum energy conversion efficiencies DSSC bixin, are 0.084, 0.081, 0.005%, respectively. Zn-bixin-based stable under high intensity. 700 efficiency reaches 0.125%. There synergistic work based electrolyte. result can open way for constructing functional materials cell applications.