Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Embedding in Mesoporous TiO2 Layer on the Performance Enhancement of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Natural Dyes

This study investigates the effect of embedding silver nanoparticles (Ag) in the mesoporous TiO2 layer on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using natural dyes. Ag nanoparticles were incorporated into the TiO2 matrix using different configurations, and their impact on photovoltaic performance was systematically analyzed. The results indicate that the most homogeneous distribution of Ag, achieved through co-deposition with TiO2, led to a 94% improvement in efficiency compared to DSSCs without Ag. Structural and optical analyses confirmed that Ag nanoparticles enhance light absorption via plasmonic effects and facilitate charge transport by reducing electron-hole recombination. Among the Ag-doped DSSCs, the highest efficiency of 1.28% was achieved in the sample where Ag and TiO2 were co-deposited within the mesoporous layer, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach. This study highlights the critical role of Ag nanoparticles in improving DSSC performance and provides a cost-effective strategy for optimizing next-generation solar cells.