Optimized Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Using Natural

Dye and Counter Electrode From Robusta Coffee Beans Pell

Waste

Tomi Setiawan*, Wahyu Yudhi Subekti, Siti Sumadyah Nuradya, Khusnul

Ilmiah
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya
University, Veteran Street, Malang City, 65145, Phone. (0341) 551611

*Corresponding email : tomise13@hotmail.com

Abstract. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) one of solar cell type to convert light energy
become the electrical energy. DSSC had a important part which is dye and counter electrode.
Anthocyanin compound in the pulp of coffee can be potential as natural dye and also counter
electrode as activated carbon instead of platinum in the DSSC system. The purpose of this
research is to find out how to isolate Anthocyanin, manufacture of counter electrode, and to
know the efficiency of counter electrode produced from the coffee pulp waste in DSSC
prototype. In this research we used 2 x 2 cm FTO glass coated carbon paste with a thickness
variation of 100 L, 200 L and 300 L as counter electrode and other FTO glass coated with
TiO2 paste as work electrode, then the glass is connected to form like a sandwich and dropped
Triiodide electrolyte solution in its gap, thus forming a DSSC prototype. The results showed
that coffee pulp waste contains anthocyanin of 12.23mL / 80gr and it can produced activated
carbon. The characterization performed shows that the UV-Vis Anthocyanin result is at
wavelength of ultra violet area that is 219,50 nm with absorbance value equal to 1,469, and
maximum wavelength at visible area is 720,00 nm with absorbance value equal to 0,013. The
functional groups contained in the anthocyanin are O-H groups at wave numbers 3385.60 cm-1,
C = O groups at wave numbers 1618.63 cm-1, and C-O-C groups at 1065.40 cm-1 wave
numbers. Morphological characterization using the SEM shows the activated carbon surface
area becomes larger and evenly distributed. Voltage obtained on Counter Electrode 100 L
variation of 395mV, 200 L of 334mV 100 L of 254mV.

Key word : DSSC, Anthocyanin, counter electrode, coffee pulp, solar cell

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