The sol–gel method is a versatile technique used for the synthesis
of TiO2 in anatase phase. In sol–gel process, a colloidal
suspension or a sol is formed from the hydrolysis and polymerization
reactions of the precursors [9]. The hydrolysis and
condensation take place immediately when the alkoxide precursor
reacts in the presence of water leading to the formation of larger
and inhomogeneous product [10]. Complete polymerization and
loss of solvent leads to the transition from the liquid sol into a solid
gel phase. After drying, uniform nano particles were obtained. In
the present study, pure TiO2 nano particles were synthesized using sol–gel technique by optimizing the growth parameters. We have
modified the process by mixing the natural dye with a precursor
to synthesis dyed TiO2 nano particles. The pure and natural dye
mixed TiO2 nano particles were subjected to powder X-ray diffraction,
UV–vis spectrum, scanning electron microscope and energy
dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (E-DAX) to study the structural,
optical, morphological and compositional studies. The DSSC
was fabricated using natural dye mixed TiO2 coated by doctorblade
method on FTO glass plate with iodide solution (I+/I3
−) as
electrolyte. The dye rich in betanin sensitized DSSC showed a solar
light energy to electron conversion efficiency of 0.69%.