1

Agenda• Do Now• Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Extension• DSSC dye discussionLesson Objectives• SWBAT compare the effectiveness of different fruit

juices as dyes for DSSCs.

Do Now• What do you think you will observe if the dye from

a different fruit does not work as well as the blackberry juice? • What is an advantage of dye-sensitized solar cells

over standard solar cells?

2

Pick either blueberries and strawberries and remake the DSSC

Anthocyanin structure

Conjugated double bond system

• Cherries• Eggplants• Red cabbage (has over

30 types of anthocyanins!)

Anthocyanins are pigments that produce many of the colors we see

Pigments in blackberries

What if you just used one of the pigments in blackberries as the dye

for a DSSC?

Hydrangeas• Contains anthocyanins• Color dependent on the

soil pH

• Acidic soil – blue flowers• Basic soil – pink/red• Slightly acidic/neutral –

purple or a mix of blue and pink

• Depends on species of hydrangea

Post Lab Questions• 1. What differences did you observe between the

blackberry cell you made yesterday and today's cell?

• 2. Why are blackberries an effective source of dye? What are the essential chemical features of an effective dye?

• 3. Do you think apples or raspberries would be more likely to work as a source of dye for solar cells?