The Assembly and Performance Assessment of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell with Cassava Leaf (Manihot esculenta) Extract as Sensitizer

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a third-generation solar cell composed of a first layer, the photoanode (TiO2 semiconductor and dye), and a second layer, the counter electrode (carbon). The dye, obtained from chlorophyll extracted from cassava leaves, plays a crucial role in absorbing sunlight and converting solar energy into electrical energy by transferring electrons to the conduction band of the TiO2 semiconductor. The variables used were the mass of cassava leaves extracted (10, 30, and 50 grams) and extraction time (24 and 72 hours). The sample with a mass of 10 grams extracted for 72 hours yielded the highest yield and concentration, at 54.89% and 3.15 mg/L, respectively. Absorbance analysis of cassava leaves showed a maximum wavelength at 660 nm. The highest efficiency was observed in the sample with a mass of 10 grams and an extraction time of 72 hours, at 0.1069%. The result of this research demonstrating that cassava leaf extract has potential as a dye-sensitizer for DSSC.