Green Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles with Melastoma malabathricum Fruit Extract and Lime Juice: Toward Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Photoanodes

This study investigates the eco-friendly synthesis of TiO₂ NPs using Melastoma malabathricum fruit extract and lime juice as natural reducing and capping agents. The extract was prepared by macerating the sample in ethanol. TiO₂ NPs were synthesized via the sol–gel method with five variations: one control sample using ethanol only and four samples incorporating plant extracts with varying lime juice concentrations. The results confirmed the formation of pure anatase-phase TiO₂ with crystallite sizes decreasing from 18.17 to 12.43 nm. Optical analysis revealed bandgap energies of 3.09-3.14 eV, suitable for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed more uniform, smaller particles in the capped samples, as supported by the particle-size distribution data. energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed that the elemental composition is close to stoichiometric TiO₂. Electrochemical analysis indicated that the sample using Melastoma malabathricum fruit extract exhibited superior photovoltaic performance (power conversion efficiency (PCE) = 3.12%) owing to enhanced charge injection, despite a shorter electron lifetime (55 ms). Additionally, samples using Melastoma malabathricum fruit extract and lime juice exhibited improved charge retention (= 205-274 ms), despite their moderate efficiencies (2.26-2.49%). This study demonstrates the significant potential of tropical plant-mediated synthesis for developing sustainable, high-performance DSSC photoanodes, with performance governed by careful optimization of the composition of natural capping agents.

Dye-sensitized solar cell; Lime juice; Melastoma malabathricum; Nanoparticles; Photoanode; Titanium dioxide

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