The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been eyed as a potential alternative to the expensive silicon-based solar cells. However, most high-performing DSSCs employ ruthenium (Ru) bipyridyl derivatives dye as a photosensitizer, which is costly and toxic. In this research, low-cost eco-friendly alternative dye materials, namely harda fruit-based natural dye and direct dye (fabric dye) were investigated for application in the DSSCs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman, and X-ray diffraction studies have been performed to gain insight into morphological, structural, and crystalline properties of photosensitizers. The DSSCs based on the natural dye and fabric dye was successfully demonstrated with 3.52% and 0.80% efficiency, respectively. The analysis of photovoltaic parameters reveals that the superior performance of a natural dye-based DSSC results from the better morphological and crystalline properties of the natural dye-based sensitizers. The decent performance shown by a natural dye-based DSSC in the work is expected to propel the research in the area of natural dye-based DSSCs.

染料敏化太阳能电池 (DSSC) 已被视为昂贵的硅基太阳能电池的潜在替代品。然而，大多数高性能 DSSC 使用钌 (Ru) 联吡啶衍生物染料作为光敏剂，其成本高且有毒。在这项研究中，研究了低成本、环保的替代染料材料，即基于水果的天然染料和直接染料（织物染料）在 DSSC 中的应用。已经进行了场发射扫描电子显微镜、拉曼和 X 射线衍射研究，以深入了解光敏剂的形态、结构和结晶特性。基于天然染料和织物染料的 DSSCs 分别以 3.52% 和 0.80% 的效率成功证明。光伏参数的分析表明，天然染料基 DSSC 的优异性能源于天然染料基敏化剂更好的形态和结晶特性。基于天然染料的 DSSC 在工作中表现出的良好性能有望推动基于天然染料的 DSSC 领域的研究。