Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance of copper on TiO₂ as a photoelectrode through nanocomposite and electroplating method

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a generation of solar cells that utilize dye as a sensitizer and can convert solar energy into electrical energy. Components of DSSC are photoelectrode, dye, counter electrode and electrolyte. The photoelectrode is one of the devices of the DSSC. The modification of the photoelectrode is the insertion of copper on TiO₂ to improve the performance of the DSSC. The method used in this research is the nanocomposite method and the electroplating method. Nanocomposites are the process of mixing different materials or materials that are nano-sized. Electroplating is a method of metal coating with the help of electric current. The dye used is Moringa Oleifera, the counter electrode is platinum, and the electrolyte is NaI. The purpose of research can be obtained from the characterization of the absorbance spectra, XRD and current-voltage (I-V). The results of the absorbance spectrum show that there is the maximal absorption of light from the nanocomposites. The XRD results show the presence of copper on TiO₂ because there are diffraction patterns of TiO₂ anatase, TiO₂ rutile, and copper. Characterization of I-V DSSC shows that the efficiency of copper insertion on TiO₂ through electroplating method is 0.090% and nanocomposite is 0.048%. The insertion of copper on TiO₂ capable of improving the performance of DSSC is through electroplating method.