MGSO4-DOPED-ADDITIVE TIO2 NANOPARTICLE: CO-ACTIVE PROCEDURE TOWARDS REALIZING AN IMPROVED PASSIVATED PHOTOELECTRODE OF DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

The application of a passivation layer on the titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photoelectrode, along with the treatment of dye sensitizers utilizing dye additives, represents two fundamental approaches utilized to enhance the efficiency of photogenerated electrons in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This study represents a novel exploration into the combined application of MgSO₄-doped TiO₂ passivation photoelectrodes and MgSO₄ dye additives, with a meticulous examination of their collective impact on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effects of MgSO₄ incorporation to TiO₂ on the morphological, structural, and optical properties were analyzed using field-emission-SEM (FESEM) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis Spectroscopy). Meanwhile, the effect of MgSO₄ dye additive on the functional group of the natural dye sensitizer extracted from Mitragyna speciosa (MS) was investigated using FTIR spectroscopy. Finally, the performances of four different types of solar cells with various treatment procedures were compared. Among the evaluated cells, the double treatments cell involving the MgSO₄-doped TiO₂  followed with MgSO₄ treated dye additive process   (i.e, MgSO₄-doped TiO₂-A) is verified to be superior to others in terms of power conversion efficiency, ɳ and photocurrent density, Jsc of 0.86 %, and 3.38 mA/cm², respectively. The enhancement in power conversion efficiency can be attributed primarily to the elevated photocurrent density, Jsc, and open circuit voltage, Voc. These factors are intricately linked to the advantages of a passivation layer that reduced recombination as well as lowering interfacial resistance at the cell’s interfaces, secondly due to dye additive that improving dye molecules attachment to the TiO₂ nanoparticles. The co-active impact has significantly influenced the band structure, charge transport, and recombination processes within the cell.