Enhancing efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell using Mn or Ce doped and Co-doped ZnO photoanodes with lawsonia inermis natural dye

Abstract In the present research paper, Mn (transition metal) and Ce (rare earth metal) doped and co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a cost-effective sol–gel technique. As synthesized samples were characterized using x-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope to examine the structure and morphology respectively. The optical properties were examined by UV-Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized samples were used as photoanode for the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The utilization of a photoanode, containing Mn and Ce doped and co-doped in ZnO, in DSSC leads to a significant enhancement in photovoltaic conversion efficiency with natural dye lawsonia inermis . Different combinations of Mn or Ce doped and co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were used for testing their effectiveness as photoanode in DSSC. It was observed that the efficiency for Mn and Ce co-doped ZnO photoanode-based DSSC was found to be 0.2118%, which is approximately a 750% increase as compared to bare ZnO photoanode based DSSC. The enhancement in the efficiency of DSSCs was due to the formation of a blocking layer by Mn ions which helps to stop the flow of electrons backward and the broadening of the spectrum region with the help of Ce ions using up/down conversion process also helps to achieve higher efficiency. This enhancement in the efficiency of DSSC may be attributed to the synergic effect of Mn and Ce.