Copyright (c) 2026 Unniyarcha K K, Saravana kumar S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Enhanced Light Harvesting in Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells using Chlorophyll-Curcumin-Anthocyanin Natural Dye Blend
Corresponding Author(s) : K.K. Unniyarcha
Asian Journal of Chemistry,
Vol. 38 No. 5 (2026): Vol 38, Issue 5, 2026
Abstract
Natural dyes offer a promising alternative to synthetic dyes in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs), though their narrow optical absorption limits the efficiency of DSSCs. In present study, five flower samples, five leaf samples, turmeric rhizomes and Basella rubra berries were chosen for initial screening based on their optical absorption characteristics. Following preliminary analysis of visible-region absorption, leaf samples, turmeric rhizomes and Basella rubra berries were selected for further investigation. Chlorophyll, curcumin and anthocyanin pigments were extracted from curry leaves, turmeric rhizomes and Basella rubra berries, respectively. Optical absorption properties of each dye were studied using UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. The chlorophyll pigment exhibited prominent absorption peaks at 434 nm and 664 nm, while curcumin and anthocyanin showed absorption at 420 nm and 534 nm, respectively. Given that individual dyes absorb only within a specific wavelength range, a co-sensitisation method was adopted to enable the dye to absorb the broad region of the solar spectrum. The bi-pigment blend of chlorophyll and curcumin and the tri-pigment blend of chlorophyll, curcumin and anthocyanin, demonstrated an increase of 159% and 171% respectively, in absorption coefficient, relative to the individual dyes. This enhanced spectral response suggests potential for higher photocurrent density for DSSCs.
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