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This study investigates the extraction methods of chlorophyll extracted from green algae to be used a natural photosensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Three extraction meth-ods were employed: solvent-assisted extraction (SAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Chlorophyll was then characterized for its optical, morphological, and structural properties. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy revealed absorption peaks which corresponds with chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and flavo-noids. The MAE method produced the highest chlorophyll yield. Furthermore, direct band gap of the extracted chlorophyll was estimated using Tauc’s plot analysis which revealed 1.67 eV and 2,5 eV suggesting efficient light absorption. Photoluminescence (PL) showed a higher in-tensity in MAE and UAE as compared to SAE. Confocal microscopy images further confirmed the presence of chlorophyll a (green) and chlorophyll b (red), providing visual insight into the distribution of pigments within the algae. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology revealed line-array surface structured with longitudinal orientation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified structural and function groups with prominent peaks around 878 cm-1, 1045 cm-1, 1639 cm-1, and 3341 cm-1, correlating with C-H, C-O, C=C and N-H stretches, respectively. Consequently, the results suggest that MAE and UAE techniques are the most efficient for DSSC application.
| Apply for student award at which level: | MSc |
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| Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission | Yes, I ACCEPT |
