Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled using Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a photoelectrode
and natural dyes extracted from eight natural plants as photosensitizers. The structural properties
of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were studied using XRD, SEM and TEM characterizations. Photovoltaic
parameters such as short circuit current density Jsc, open circuit voltage Voc, fill factor FF, and overall
conversion efficiency η for the fabricated cells were determined under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. It was
found that the DSSC fabricated with the extracted safflower dye as a sensitizer showed the best performance.
Also, its performance increased with increasing the sintering temperature of the semiconductor
electrode with highest performance at 400 °C. Moreover, it was found that a semiconductor electrode of
7.5 μm thickness yielded the highest response
