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Chelating-Assisted Green Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles from Mangosteen Pericarp for Defect Control and DSSC
Nofrijon Sofyan1,2, Muhammad2, Fiona Angellinnov2
1Advanced Materials Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia.
ACS Omega
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) using mangosteen pericarp extract offers a sustainable route for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This approach yields pure anatase TiO2 NPs with tunable bandgaps, demonstrating potential for cost-effective solar energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are crucial semiconductor materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
- Sustainable and cost-effective synthesis methods for TiO2 NPs are needed to advance renewable energy technologies.
- Green chemistry approaches utilizing natural extracts offer an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize TiO2 NPs using a sustainable, green method assisted by chelating agents and mangosteen pericarp extract.
- To characterize the structural and optical properties of the synthesized TiO2 NPs.
- To evaluate the performance of these TiO2 NPs as semiconductor layers in DSSCs using both commercial and natural dyes.
Main Methods:
- Green synthesis of TiO2 NPs using mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) pericarp extract and acetylacetone (AcAc) as a chelating agent.
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystalline structure analysis (anatase phase confirmed).
- UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) for optical bandgap determination.
- Fabrication and efficiency testing of DSSCs using synthesized TiO2 NPs with N719 and Malabar spinach dyes.
Main Results:
- Pure anatase TiO2 NPs with a tetragonal crystalline structure were successfully synthesized.
- Mangosteen pericarp extract reduced the bandgap energy of TiO2 NPs (from 3.22 to 3.20 eV).
- The highest DSSC efficiency achieved was 2.34% using TiO2 NPs synthesized with 50% AcAc and sensitized with N719 dye, comparable to commercial TiO2 P25 (2.65%).
- DSSCs sensitized with natural Malabar spinach dye showed efficiencies of 0.69% and 1.01%.
Conclusions:
- Mangosteen pericarp extract facilitates the green synthesis of pure anatase TiO2 NPs with tunable optical properties.
- The synthesized TiO2 NPs show promise as semiconductor layers in DSSCs, particularly when using commercial sensitizers.
- This study highlights the potential of utilizing fruit waste and natural dyes for sustainable and economical DSSC fabrication.
