Chemical and Process Engineering Research www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-7467 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0913 (Online) Vol 5, 2012 16 Laboratory Preparation of the Components of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Ezinna Lucky Efurumibe 1 , Anyalewechi Daniel Asiegbu 2 and Michael Onuu 3 1. Physics Department, College of Natural and Physical Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. 2. Physics Department, College of Natural and Physical Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. 3. Physics Department, University of Calabar, Calabar efurumibeezinna@yahoo.com Abstract In this laboratory preparation of the components, the solutions of some of the components of the cell were prepared. This was done (in some cases) after measuring out certain amount of the chemicals. For example for the TiO 2 , 6grams of the powder was first weighed, after which the solution was prepared. At the end of the laboratory session, a solution (suspension) of TiO 2 was prepared. Afterwards, a solution of anthocynin dye from Momordica Charantia seed was obtained separately. 1. INTRODUCTION Energy is inevitably the most wanted commodity in the world today. The industrial revolution has increased the quest for energy, particularly energy whose means of production is environmental friendly. Dye-sensitized solar cell is an interesting area of study for many scientists because of its promising features (O’Regan and Grätzel, 1991). Number one feature is that it only needs a little light from the sun to be activated. Number two feature is that its means of energy production is environmentally friendly. It does not require so much capital and technology to fabricate. Before a dye-sensitized solar cell is built/coupled, its components need to be prepared first. Such components include: the anode of the cell, the sensitized dye and the electrolyte of the cell (Abayev et al, 2003; Grätzel, 2004). In most cases the preparation requires first of all getting the solution of the components; and by some other processes, the components of the cell can be built. Here we present majorly the laboratory preparation of TiO 2 suspension and anthocynin solution from Momordica Charantia seed. These solutions were prepared in the Chemistry and Biochemistry laboratories of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The aim of the exercise is to produce a suspension of TiO 2 and a solution of anthocyanin dye. 2. PREPARING THE TiO 2 SUSPENSION In preparing the TiO 2 suspension, 9ml of nitric acid solution (pH 3.04 in deionized water) was added (at 1ml increment) to 6g of TiO 2 powder in a mortar and grounded (with a pestle) until the powder dissolved in the solution (Fanis, 2010). The grinding was done for about 30 minute after which 3 drops of liquid detergent was added to the solution to make for even coating of the TiO 2 suspension on the conductive glass slides (see fig. 1). After which the solution was stored in a dropper bottle for coating the conductive glass slides.