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27/04/2026
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Nguyen , N. Y., Nguyen, T. N. H., Vo, T. S., Van, P. D. T., Nguyen, V., & Doan, V. H. T. (2026). Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using betel leaf extract and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Dong Thap University Journal of Science, 15(5), 103-113. https://doi.org/10.52714/dthu.ns.2558.1838
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Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using betel leaf extract and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells
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Abstract
This study reports the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using betel leaf (Piper betle) extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, confirming their crystalline structure, spherical morphology, and an optical bandgap of 3.26 eV. The ZnO nanoparticles were then employed as the photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using a natural dye extracted from mangosteen peel. Photovoltaic performance analysis revealed that DSSCs with a platinum (Pt) counter electrode exhibited a significantly higher efficiency (0.064%) compared to those using a carbon-based electrode (0.007%), demonstrating the superior catalytic activity of Pt in enhancing charge transport. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via green methods for sustainable energy applications.
Keywords
Dye-sensitized Solar cells, green synthesis, ZnO nanoparticles
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
Aksoy, S., Gorgun, K., Caglar, Y., & Caglar, M. (2019). Effect of loading and standbye time of the organic dye N719 on the photovoltaic performance of ZnO based DSSC. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1189, 181-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2019.04.040
Alvarado, J. A., Anaya Conzalez, G. S., Arce-Plaza, A., & Reyes-Carmona, S. (2025). New approach in effective and reproducible green synthesis of pure ZnO nanoparticles using lemon juice with less solvent and without strong base chemical precursor. Ceramics International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.02.016
Ammar, A. M., Mohamed, H. S. H., Yousef, M. M. K., Abdel-Hafez, G. M., Hassanien, A. S., & Khalil, A. S. G. (2019). Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on extracted natural dyes. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2019(1), 1867271. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1867271
Arsyad, W. S., Suhardiman, R., Usman, I., Aba, L., Suryani, S., Ramadhan, L. O. A. N.,…Hidayat, R. (2024). Improvement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) performance using crude Brazilein extract from sappanwood (Caesalpinia Sappan L.) with the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1303, 137548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137548
Chandra Maurya, I., Singh, S., Srivastava, P., Maiti, B., & Bahadur, L. (2019). Natural dye extract from Cassia fistula and its application in dye-sensitized solar cell: Experimental and density functional theory studies. Optical Materials, 90, 273-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2019.02.037
Das, S., Parida, R., Sriram Sandeep, I., Nayak, S., & Mohanty, S. (2016). Biotechnological intervention in betelvine (Piper betle L.): A review on recent advances and future prospects. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 9(10), 938-946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.07.029
Dhafina, W. A., Salleh, H., Daud, M. Z., & Ghazali, M. S. M. (2018). Low cost dye-sensitized solar cells based on zinc oxide and natural anthocyanin dye from Ardisia elliptica fruits. Optik, 172, 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2018.06.041
Dutta, A., Nayak, M., Akhtar, A. J., & Saha, S. K. (2025). Enhancing photovoltaic efficiency of ZnO based DSSCs through metal ion doping: A comparative simulation study. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 199, 112569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2025.112569
Ekennia, A. C., Uduagwu, D. N., Nwaji, N. N., Oje, O. O., Emma-Uba, C. O., Mgbii, S. I.,…Nwanji, O. L. (2021). Green synthesis of biogenic zinc oxide nanoflower as dual agent for photodegradation of an organic dye and tyrosinase inhibitor. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 31(2), 886-897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-020-01729-w
Grätzel, M. (2003). Dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, 4(2), 145-153.
Gultepe, O., & Atay, F. (2025). Some physical and electrochemical properties of one-dimensional ZnO nanomaterials providing enhanced solar energy harvesting for DSSCs. Materials Letters, 384, 138066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138066
Gupta, R. K., Guha, P., & Srivastav, P. P. (2023). Phytochemical and biological studies of betel leaf (Piper betle L.): Review on paradigm and its potential benefits in human health. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 43(5), 721-732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2022.09.006
Hussein, H., Ibrahim, S. S., & Khairy, S. A. (2025). Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Hibiscus sabdariffa L: Rapid Pb2+ ion removal, photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, and biomedical applications. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 69, 106649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106649
Karimah, H., Ismail, W. M. I. W., & Ali, A. (2019). The electrical conductivity properties of Morus Nigra L. sp., Clitoria ternatea sp., and Melastoma malabathricum L. sp. as natural photo-sensitizers. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2068(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5089350
Liu, S.-C., & Wu, J.-J. (2002). Low-temperature and catalyst-free synthesis of well-aligned ZnO nanorods on Si (100). Journal of Materials Chemistry, 12(10), 3125-3129. https://doi.org/10.1039/B203871D
Lu, C.-H., & Yeh, C.-H. (2000). Influence of hydrothermal conditions on the morphology and particle size of zinc oxide powder. Ceramics International, 26(4), 351-357.
Massiot, I., Cattoni, A., & Collin, S. (2020). Progress and prospects for ultrathin solar cells. Nature Energy, 5(12), 959-972. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-020-00714-4
Nayak, P. K., Mahesh, S., Snaith, H. J., & Cahen, D. (2019). Photovoltaic solar cell technologies: analysing the state of the art. Nature Reviews Materials, 4(4), 269-285.
Park, J.-Y., Lee, K.-H., Kim, B.-S., Kim, C.-S., Lee, S.-E., Okuyama, K.,…Kim, T.-O. (2014). Enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells using Zr/N-doped TiO2 composites as photoelectrodes. RSC advances, 4(20), 9946-9952. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA00194J
Rafee, V., Razaghizadeh, A., Nakhaei, R., & Hosini, R. (2025). Eco-friendly dye-sensitized solar cells: Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Sargassum algae and performance enhancement through optimized dye combinations. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 317, 118164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118164
Rahul, Singh, P. K., Bhattacharya, B., & Khan, Z. H. (2018). Environment approachable dye sensitized solar cell using abundant natural pigment based dyes with solid polymer electrolyte. Optik, 165, 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2018.03.099
Sarwar, N., Ghaffar, R., Shahzad, M., Javed, K., Munam, M., Siddiq, Z.,…Ghaffar, A. (2024). Synergistic photovoltaic performance of DSSCs based on ZnO charge transport layers, counter electrodes and C. annuum and T. indica as natural dyes. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 307, 117543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2024.117543
Singh, T., Singh, P., Pandey, V. K., Singh, R., & Dar, A. H. (2023). A literature review on bioactive properties of betel leaf (Piper betel L.) and its applications in food industry. Food Chemistry Advances, 3, 100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2023.100536
Sufyan, M., Mehmood, U., Qayyum Gill, Y., Nazar, R., & Ul Haq Khan, A. (2021). Hydrothermally synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods as an effective photoanode material for third-generation Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Materials Letters, 297, 130017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2021.130017
Tran, V. T., Nguyen, T. B., Nguyen, H. C., Do, N. H. N., & Le, P. K. (2023). Recent applications of natural bioactive compounds from Piper betle (L.) leaves in food preservation. Food Control, 154, 110026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.110026
Van-Pham, D.-T., Phat, V. V., Hoa, N. T. Q., Ngoc, N. H., Thao Ngan, D. T., Don, T. N.,…Thien, D. V. H. (2021). Fabrication of electrospun BaTiO3/chitosan/PVA nanofibers and application for dye-sensitized solar cells. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 947(1), 012017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/947/1/012017
Van-Pham, D.-T., Thi Yen Nhi, P., Vu Bao Long, T., Nguyen, C.-N., Minh Nhan, L., Thi Bich Quyen, T.,…Van Hong Thien, D. (2022). Electrospun Fe-doped TiO2/chitosan/PVA nanofibers: Preparation and study on photocatalytic and adsorption properties. Materials Letters, 326, 132930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2022.132930
Wang, Y., Zhang, C., Bi, S., & Luo, G. (2010). Preparation of ZnO nanoparticles using the direct precipitation method in a membrane dispersion micro-structured reactor. Powder Technology, 202(1-3), 130-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2010.04.027
Wei, Y.-L., & Chang, P.-C. (2008). Characteristics of nano zinc oxide synthesized under ultrasonic condition. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 69(2-3), 688-692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2007.07.094
Winiarska, K., Klimek-Ochab, M., Wilk, Ł. J., & Winiarski, J. (2025). Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using spent coffee extract: Comprehensive characterization and insights. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 338, 130621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.130621
Yizengaw, D. E., Godie, E. M., & Manayia, A. H. (2025). Green synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles using Justicia Schemperiana leaf extract and its antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 174, 114071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2025.114071
Zango, Z. U., Garba, A., Shittu, F. B., Imam, S. S., Haruna, A., Zango, M. U.,…Hosseini-Bandegharaei, A. (2025). A state-of-the-art review on green synthesis and modifications of ZnO nanoparticles for organic pollutants decomposition and CO2 conversion. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 17, 100588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2024.100588.
Alvarado, J. A., Anaya Conzalez, G. S., Arce-Plaza, A., & Reyes-Carmona, S. (2025). New approach in effective and reproducible green synthesis of pure ZnO nanoparticles using lemon juice with less solvent and without strong base chemical precursor. Ceramics International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.02.016
Ammar, A. M., Mohamed, H. S. H., Yousef, M. M. K., Abdel-Hafez, G. M., Hassanien, A. S., & Khalil, A. S. G. (2019). Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on extracted natural dyes. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2019(1), 1867271. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1867271
Arsyad, W. S., Suhardiman, R., Usman, I., Aba, L., Suryani, S., Ramadhan, L. O. A. N.,…Hidayat, R. (2024). Improvement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) performance using crude Brazilein extract from sappanwood (Caesalpinia Sappan L.) with the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1303, 137548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137548
Chandra Maurya, I., Singh, S., Srivastava, P., Maiti, B., & Bahadur, L. (2019). Natural dye extract from Cassia fistula and its application in dye-sensitized solar cell: Experimental and density functional theory studies. Optical Materials, 90, 273-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2019.02.037
Das, S., Parida, R., Sriram Sandeep, I., Nayak, S., & Mohanty, S. (2016). Biotechnological intervention in betelvine (Piper betle L.): A review on recent advances and future prospects. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 9(10), 938-946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.07.029
Dhafina, W. A., Salleh, H., Daud, M. Z., & Ghazali, M. S. M. (2018). Low cost dye-sensitized solar cells based on zinc oxide and natural anthocyanin dye from Ardisia elliptica fruits. Optik, 172, 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2018.06.041
Dutta, A., Nayak, M., Akhtar, A. J., & Saha, S. K. (2025). Enhancing photovoltaic efficiency of ZnO based DSSCs through metal ion doping: A comparative simulation study. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 199, 112569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2025.112569
Ekennia, A. C., Uduagwu, D. N., Nwaji, N. N., Oje, O. O., Emma-Uba, C. O., Mgbii, S. I.,…Nwanji, O. L. (2021). Green synthesis of biogenic zinc oxide nanoflower as dual agent for photodegradation of an organic dye and tyrosinase inhibitor. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 31(2), 886-897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-020-01729-w
Grätzel, M. (2003). Dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, 4(2), 145-153.
Gultepe, O., & Atay, F. (2025). Some physical and electrochemical properties of one-dimensional ZnO nanomaterials providing enhanced solar energy harvesting for DSSCs. Materials Letters, 384, 138066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138066
Gupta, R. K., Guha, P., & Srivastav, P. P. (2023). Phytochemical and biological studies of betel leaf (Piper betle L.): Review on paradigm and its potential benefits in human health. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 43(5), 721-732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2022.09.006
Hussein, H., Ibrahim, S. S., & Khairy, S. A. (2025). Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Hibiscus sabdariffa L: Rapid Pb2+ ion removal, photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, and biomedical applications. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 69, 106649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106649
Karimah, H., Ismail, W. M. I. W., & Ali, A. (2019). The electrical conductivity properties of Morus Nigra L. sp., Clitoria ternatea sp., and Melastoma malabathricum L. sp. as natural photo-sensitizers. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2068(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5089350
Liu, S.-C., & Wu, J.-J. (2002). Low-temperature and catalyst-free synthesis of well-aligned ZnO nanorods on Si (100). Journal of Materials Chemistry, 12(10), 3125-3129. https://doi.org/10.1039/B203871D
Lu, C.-H., & Yeh, C.-H. (2000). Influence of hydrothermal conditions on the morphology and particle size of zinc oxide powder. Ceramics International, 26(4), 351-357.
Massiot, I., Cattoni, A., & Collin, S. (2020). Progress and prospects for ultrathin solar cells. Nature Energy, 5(12), 959-972. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-020-00714-4
Nayak, P. K., Mahesh, S., Snaith, H. J., & Cahen, D. (2019). Photovoltaic solar cell technologies: analysing the state of the art. Nature Reviews Materials, 4(4), 269-285.
Park, J.-Y., Lee, K.-H., Kim, B.-S., Kim, C.-S., Lee, S.-E., Okuyama, K.,…Kim, T.-O. (2014). Enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells using Zr/N-doped TiO2 composites as photoelectrodes. RSC advances, 4(20), 9946-9952. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA00194J
Rafee, V., Razaghizadeh, A., Nakhaei, R., & Hosini, R. (2025). Eco-friendly dye-sensitized solar cells: Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Sargassum algae and performance enhancement through optimized dye combinations. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 317, 118164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118164
Rahul, Singh, P. K., Bhattacharya, B., & Khan, Z. H. (2018). Environment approachable dye sensitized solar cell using abundant natural pigment based dyes with solid polymer electrolyte. Optik, 165, 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2018.03.099
Sarwar, N., Ghaffar, R., Shahzad, M., Javed, K., Munam, M., Siddiq, Z.,…Ghaffar, A. (2024). Synergistic photovoltaic performance of DSSCs based on ZnO charge transport layers, counter electrodes and C. annuum and T. indica as natural dyes. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 307, 117543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2024.117543
Singh, T., Singh, P., Pandey, V. K., Singh, R., & Dar, A. H. (2023). A literature review on bioactive properties of betel leaf (Piper betel L.) and its applications in food industry. Food Chemistry Advances, 3, 100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2023.100536
Sufyan, M., Mehmood, U., Qayyum Gill, Y., Nazar, R., & Ul Haq Khan, A. (2021). Hydrothermally synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods as an effective photoanode material for third-generation Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Materials Letters, 297, 130017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2021.130017
Tran, V. T., Nguyen, T. B., Nguyen, H. C., Do, N. H. N., & Le, P. K. (2023). Recent applications of natural bioactive compounds from Piper betle (L.) leaves in food preservation. Food Control, 154, 110026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.110026
Van-Pham, D.-T., Phat, V. V., Hoa, N. T. Q., Ngoc, N. H., Thao Ngan, D. T., Don, T. N.,…Thien, D. V. H. (2021). Fabrication of electrospun BaTiO3/chitosan/PVA nanofibers and application for dye-sensitized solar cells. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 947(1), 012017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/947/1/012017
Van-Pham, D.-T., Thi Yen Nhi, P., Vu Bao Long, T., Nguyen, C.-N., Minh Nhan, L., Thi Bich Quyen, T.,…Van Hong Thien, D. (2022). Electrospun Fe-doped TiO2/chitosan/PVA nanofibers: Preparation and study on photocatalytic and adsorption properties. Materials Letters, 326, 132930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2022.132930
Wang, Y., Zhang, C., Bi, S., & Luo, G. (2010). Preparation of ZnO nanoparticles using the direct precipitation method in a membrane dispersion micro-structured reactor. Powder Technology, 202(1-3), 130-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2010.04.027
Wei, Y.-L., & Chang, P.-C. (2008). Characteristics of nano zinc oxide synthesized under ultrasonic condition. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 69(2-3), 688-692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2007.07.094
Winiarska, K., Klimek-Ochab, M., Wilk, Ł. J., & Winiarski, J. (2025). Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using spent coffee extract: Comprehensive characterization and insights. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 338, 130621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.130621
Yizengaw, D. E., Godie, E. M., & Manayia, A. H. (2025). Green synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles using Justicia Schemperiana leaf extract and its antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 174, 114071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2025.114071
Zango, Z. U., Garba, A., Shittu, F. B., Imam, S. S., Haruna, A., Zango, M. U.,…Hosseini-Bandegharaei, A. (2025). A state-of-the-art review on green synthesis and modifications of ZnO nanoparticles for organic pollutants decomposition and CO2 conversion. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 17, 100588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2024.100588.
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