Investigation of extracts from Berberis Vulgaris as photosensitizer for their use in dye-sensitized solar cells

Natural dyes extracted from the fruit (FBV) and root (RBV) of barberry (Berberis Vulgaris) were used as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). All the extracts were utilized without any modifications, such as purifications or addition of stabilizers. Anthocyanin and isoquinoline alkaloid were determined as the main compounds for FBV and RBV extracts. Although FBV exhibited broader light absorption compared to RBV, the overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the DSSC based on the former (2.01%) is smaller than that of the latter (2.35%). The lowest PCE for FBV can be attributed to poor electron transferability, which may cause reduced photocurrent and photovoltage. On the other hand, after 120 h of sunlight irradiation, FBV and RBV retained the PCE values as 91 and 54% of the initial efficiencies. The moderate photovoltaic performance with good photostability for the anthocyanin extract may favorable for low-cost and environmental-friendly DSSC applications.