Development of DSSC photovoltaic cells for energy production through the recovery of winemaking by-products

In this study a nanostructured titanium dioxide, with high surface area and ordered porosity, was prepared by sol-gel procedure and thermally treated at high temperature. Its structural, chemical and optical properties were studied by XRD, FEG-SEM, N2 physisorption and DRS. Tannins and anthocyanins extracted from winemaking lees were then adsorbed on this porous support. After building a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) prototype, several tests were carried out to evaluate the cell power and the photocurrent generated under simulated solar light irradiation. Using polyphenolic compounds as dyes in photovoltaic cells can represent an extremely eco-friendly and low environmental impact solution for electricity generation, transforming an agri-food waste into a resource and improving the environmental index of wineries.