The efficiency development of TiO2 and Henna dye-coated solar wafers by Pulsed Nd: YAG laser treatment

Abstract

This work describes the Dye-sensitized solar material (DSSM) incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO₂) with natural henna dye (Lawsonia inermis) as the photosensitizer. The changes in dye adsorption, light absorption, and solar cell effectiveness are estimated with henna dye. The pulsed Nd:YAG laser texturing of TiO₂ thin films enhances surface roughness, porosity, area and hence improves the dye adsorption and light absorption. The XRD analysis confirms the TiO₂ phase. The open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc), maximum voltage (Vm), and maximum current (Im) are measured through current-voltage (I–V) characterisation to assess the DSSM. The enhancements in dye adsorption and efficiency through the texturing process by the modification of surface roughness were confirmed through speckle photography. The use of henna dye offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes by means of increasing the efficiency for future solar energy applications.