Soxhlet extraction of natural dyes from the husk of Cocos nucifera and their efficacious application as sensitizer in TiO₂ based dye sensitized solar cells

In this study, a novel idea of using dyes extracted from the husk of tender coconut by using different solvents (acetone & ethanol) and in different extraction methods (direct and soxhlet extraction) as sensitizer in DSSC is made possible. Moreover, higher photo-conversion efficiency is being reported with the dyes taken from the peels. Spectroscopic studies performed for the dyes proved that these dyes are qualified to be used as sensitizers. JV characterization helps to know the photovoltaic parameters of the fabricated solar cells. The DSSCs made in this study exhibited the photo-conversion efficiency of 0.279%, 0.209%, 0.463% and 0.376%.