Natural pigments containing anthocyanins extracted at different temperatures from petrocarpus erinaceus (African rosewood) were studied as possible sensitizers for TiO2 by assembling dyesensitized solar cells . Photocurrent densities ranging from 1.11 to 2.15 mA cm–2 were obtained with photovoltages ranging from 390 to 431 mV. The overall efficiency and fill factor of these cells varied from 0.23 to 0.51 and 0.50 to 0.57 respectively. Among the different extracts studied, the extract obtained at 323K gave the best photosensitized effect, which can be used as an environment-friendly, low-cost alternative system, especially for educational purposes.
