STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF EXTRACTION SOLVENTS ON THE OPTICAL ACTIVITY OF MUSSAENDA ERYTHROPHYLLA AND BOUGAINVILLEA SPECTIBILIS

Abstract

Five different solvents; acetone, ethanol, distilled water, hydrochloric acid (HCl) and acidified ethanol were used as extraction solvents to study the optical sensitivity of Mussaenda erythrophylla and Bougainvillea spectibilis for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) applications. The natural dyes were extracted using cold extraction method. Optical characterization was carried out with the 3600 UV/Vis spectrophotometer within the range of 350-1020 nm. It was observed that the five dye extracts of Mussaenda erythrophylla showed wide absorbance within the visible spectrum with the extract of acetone having the highest absorbance at 390 nm and the extract of water showing a peak at 440 nm. It also showed the highest transmittance in the visible region though it dropped to zero at 425 nm but rises again. Extracts of distilled water, acetone, and acidified ethanol showed good peaks of reflectance within the visible spectrum. Acetone dye extracts of Bougainvillea showed the highest peaks at 400, 460 and 560 nm. The five extracts of Bougainvillea showed good transmittance up to the near infra red region. All the dye extracts showed appreciable absorbance within the visible region and are therefore possible antennae for DSSCs applications.