By: Monal Patel
Abstract
Did you know that blackberry juice can be used to convert
light energy into electrical energy? Dye-sensitized solar
cells are photovoltaic cells that convert any visible light
into electrical energy. The purpose of this experiment was
to construct a dye-sensitized solar cell using blackberry
juice and titanium dioxide to generate electricity. The dyesensitized blackberry solar cell experiment was successful
and the solar cell generated about an average of 48.0 mV
(millivolt) of electricity.
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment
was to construct a dye-sensitized
solar cell that will generate
electricity using blackberry juice
and titanium dioxide.
Introduction
Dye-sensitized cells are used to convert light energy
into electrical energy. Dye- sensitized cells are made
up of thin film that uses TiO2 as a semiconductor. The
TiO2 layer provides surface for the absorption of the
dye (Teoli et al, 2015). Dye-sensitized solar cells have
high efficiency and have been regarded as the next
generation of solar cells because they can be produced
at low costs (Chitumalla, R. K., Lim, M., Gao, X., &
Jang. J, 2015).
Materials
 1 transparent indium tin oxide conductive glass slide (ITO slide)
 1 TiO2 coated indium tin oxide conductive glass slide
 4 drops of Iodide electrolyte solution (0.5 M potassium iodide mixed with
0.05 M iodine in propylene glycol)
 2 small binder clips
 1 blackberry (thawed, frozen blackberries work well)
 1 small spatula
 1 graphite pencil
 1 piece of parafilm
 1 paper towel
 1 razor blade
 Multimeter
 Light source (flashlight or sunlight)
Methods
An indium tin oxide conductive glass slide (ITO slide) was
coated with TiO2 paste. Blackberry juice was used as a dye to
coat the TiO2 coated indium tin oxide conductive glass slide.
The ITO slide was shaded using a graphite pencil in order to
add a carbon layer. The parafilm was placed on top of the dye
coated TiO2 slide. Using a razor blade, the area of the parafilm
on top of the TiO2 slide was cut out then two drops of the iodide
electrolyte sodium solution are placed on top of the TiO2 slide.
The ITO slide was placed on top of the TiO2 slide so the
conductive sides face each other then using a Multimeter, the
voltage of the solar cell was measured.
Pictures
Titanium Dioxide Paste
A slide covered with
Titanium Dioxide Paste
Pictures
Blackberry
Juice (used as a dye)
Titanium Dioxide coated
slide covered in Blackberry
juice
Pictures
Dye-Sensitized Blackberry
Solar Cell with Multimeter
Dye-Sensitized Blackberry
Solar Cell
Results
Voltage of Solar Cell in mV (millivolt)
Solar Cell 1
51.0 mV
Solar Cell 2
45.0 mV
Average
48.0 mV
Discussion
The dye-sensitized blackberry solar cell generated an
average of 48.0 mV (millivolt) of electricity. Blackberries
have an organic compound called anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins are pigments, which give blackberries,
raspberries, cherries, and strawberries its color (Teoli et al,
2015). Since anthocyanins have color, it can absorb light at
the longest wavelength (Hosseinnezhad, M., Moradian, S.,
& Gharanjig, K., 2015). The carbon and hydroxyl groups
in the anthocyanins bind to the TiO2 causing the
excitement of electrons (2015).
References
 Chitumalla, R. K., Lim, M., Gao, X., & Jang, J. (2015). Substituent effects
on the croconate dyes in dye sensitized solar cell applications: a density
functional theory study. Journal Of Molecular Modeling, 21(11), 297.
 Hosseinnezhad, M., Moradian, S., & Gharanjig, K. (2015). Fruit extract
dyes as photosensitizers in solar cells. Current Science (00113891), 109(5),
953-956
 Teoli, F., Lucioli, S., Nota, P., Frattarelli, A., Matteocci, F., Di Carlo, A.,
Caboni, E., & Forni, C. (2015). Role of pH and pigment concentration for
natural dye-sensitized solar cells treated with anthocyanin extracts of
common fruits, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry,
316, 24-30.