The potential of zinc chloride-Curcuma longa sp. extracts as photo-absorber in solar cell

To date, various natural dyes were extracted from fruits, leaves, and vegetables were extensively reported with the potential as photo-absorber in dye-sensitized solar cells. In this study, an eco-friendly synthesis of zinc chloride nanoparticles (ZnCl2 NPs) with the extracts of Curcuma longa sp. (turmeric), CL was carried out. The prepared ZnCl2- CL were characterized with a series of analysis such as UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT–IR). It was found that with ZnCl2−CL, UV-vis absorption was shifted and the measured bandgap value was smaller, compared to its starting material. Surface morphology from SEM analysis exhibited the changes of surface morphology and difference in particles size. With smaller bandgap, the conductivity of ZnCl2-CL was found increased from 105.52 eV to 114.52 eV, suggesting that the improvement of photo-absorber properties resulted from mixture solution. With further optimization in the reaction of metal nanoparticles and natural dyes extracts, the tunability of photo-absorber properties and its application in solar cell is believed can bring a promising future for DSSCs.