Optoelectronic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells sensitized with chlorophyll-rich extracts from Physalis angulata L. (mullaca): laboratory and stratospheric evaluation
- 1Center for the Development of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, National University of Engineering Av. Tupac Amaru 210 Lima 25 Peru
- 2National University of Central Peru, Faculty of Chemical Engineering Peru
Abstract
Physalis angulata L. (mullaca), a plant rich in chlorophyll, was investigated as a natural sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to promote sustainable photovoltaic technologies. Nanostructured TiO2 photoelectrodes were sensitized using ethanolic extracts of mullaca prepared under various extraction conditions to evaluate their influence on photovoltaic performance. The DSSCs were characterized using optical, structural, and photovoltaic techniques under simulated solar illumination. Furthermore, two mullaca sensitized devices (C5 and C6) were evaluated during a stratospheric flight via the “Astrotracker” payload, aboard NASA's High Altitude Student Platform (HASP). The best-performing device obtained in the laboratory (C3: leaves, 48-hour immersion) achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.21%, with an open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.64 V. The four top-performing laboratory devices (C1–C4) exhibited fill factors ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 at 25 °C and 1 atm. UV-vis spectra revealed absorption bands characteristic of chlorophyll-rich pigments, supporting their role in visible-light harvesting. During the stratospheric experiment, the two devices that underwent the flight maintained a measurable electrical response under conditions of low pressure and variable natural illumination. Data from the cells were recorded during the flight, and electrical parameters (VOC, raw ISC, Pmax and FF) were derived accordingly. These findings indicate that Physalis angulata can serve as a natural sensitizer for DSSCs and provide preliminary evidence of its electrical functionality under stratospheric flight conditions.
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BibTeX
@article{jara2026optoelectronic,
title = {{Optoelectronic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells sensitized with chlorophyll-rich extracts from Physalis angulata L. (mullaca): laboratory and stratospheric evaluation}},
author = {Angie Pierina Perez Jara and Michael Celestino Cajavilca and Clemente Alfredo Luyo Caycho and Harry Anderson Rivera Tito and Yanett del Pilar Huanca Villanes and Jaime Claros Castellares and María Esther Quintana Caceda},
journal = {RSC Advances},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1039/d6ra09523b},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ra09523b},
note = {CC BY 3.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Optoelectronic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells sensitized with chlorophyll-rich extracts from Physalis angulata L. (mullaca): laboratory and stratospheric evaluation
AU - Angie Pierina Perez Jara
AU - Michael Celestino Cajavilca
AU - Clemente Alfredo Luyo Caycho
AU - Harry Anderson Rivera Tito
AU - Yanett del Pilar Huanca Villanes
AU - Jaime Claros Castellares
AU - María Esther Quintana Caceda
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
JO - RSC Advances
DO - 10.1039/d6ra09523b
UR - https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ra09523b
AB - Physalis angulata L. (mullaca), a plant rich in chlorophyll, was investigated as a natural sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to promote sustainable photovoltaic technologies. Nanostructured TiO2 photoelectrodes were sensitized using ethanolic extracts of mullaca prepared under various extraction conditions to evaluate their influence on photovoltaic performance. The DSSCs were characterized using optical, structural, and photovoltaic techniques under simulated solar illumination. Furthermore, two mullaca sensitized devices (C5 and C6) were evaluated during a stratospheric flight via the “Astrotracker” payload, aboard NASA's High Altitude Student Platform (HASP). The best-performing device obtained in the laboratory (C3: leaves, 48-hour immersion) achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.21%, with an open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.64 V. The four top-performing laboratory devices (C1–C4) exhibited fill factors ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 at 25 °C and 1 atm. UV-vis spectra revealed absorption bands characteristic of chlorophyll-rich pigments, supporting their role in visible-light harvesting. During the stratospheric experiment, the two devices that underwent the flight maintained a measurable electrical response under conditions of low pressure and variable natural illumination. Data from the cells were recorded during the flight, and electrical parameters (VOC, raw ISC, Pmax and FF) were derived accordingly. These findings indicate that Physalis angulata can serve as a natural sensitizer for DSSCs and provide preliminary evidence of its electrical functionality under stratospheric flight conditions.
SN - 2046-2069
ER -