View of Photochemical Study of Surfactant in Solar Cell for Solar Energy Conversion and Storage in Electrical Energy

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Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2021, Pages. 4517 - 4522 Received 20 January 2021; Accepted 08 February 2021.

Photochemical Study of Surfactant in Solar Cell for Solar Energy Conversion and Storage in Electrical Energy

Mahesh Chandra

Department of Chemistry, Deshbandhu College, New Dehli-110019 [INDIA]

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

In this,we discuss on four systems namely Rh B – EDTA - Tween80, MB – EDTA -NaLS, Rh 6G – EDTA - CTAB &Safranine - EDTA - ALS. The “Photo voltage”and“photocurrent”

in “photo galvanic cell” contains different dyes and reducing agentshave been determined.

The photo output with reducing agent ismore than photo sensitizer and surfactant. Photo sensitizer and the various types of surfactant are very useful to raise the “conversion” and

“storage capacity” due to formation of micelles in the reacting mixture.The efficiencies of the Rh B-EDTA-Tween80, MB-EDTA-NaLS, Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB &Safranine-EDTA-ALS are 1.2653%, 1.087%, 1.7663% & 1.286% respectively. The “photo potential” and “photo current” is generated, “conversion efficiency,” “cell power” and “cell performance” of the

“photo galvanic cell” was determined and the effect of different parameters on “electrical output” of the cell was observed.

Introduction

The scientists of all over the world are working to find out renewable source of energy apart from the renewable energy resources like geothermal, biomass, wind, tidal, hydro energy etc.

The solar energy has required characteristics for present day suitable energy source. Solar energy is not only non-polluting, in exhausting and harmless but clean, low cost and hazardless having no disposal problem.

In the present study it is proposed to investigate the “conversion” and “storage capacity” of

“solar energy” taking different types of surfactant with the photo sensitizer in the presence of suitable reductant. In context to “viability” and “applicability” the researches are still in their initial stages and there is the need to explore more so as to increase the “conversion efficiency” and “storage capacity” by opting suitable “redox couple.”

Objectives

 To increase the “conversion efficiency” and “storage capacity” by selecting the suitable “redox couple.”

 The source of energy is non-conventional and cost of solar energy conversion is negligible through photo galvanic cell.

 To investigate the suitable composition for the better “conversion” and “storage capacity” of “solar energy” of “photo galvanic cells.”

Methodology

A solution of photo sensitizer, NaOH (sodium hydroxide), surfactant, and reductant” whose amount is unknown was filled in an H shaped tube and the total volume of the mixture is

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fixed with the help of dilled water. A “Pt-electrode (1.0cm X 1.0cm)” is immersed in one side of the H shaped tube and “Standard Calomel Electrode (SCE)” is dipped in another side of the H shaped tube. The whole setup is kept in dark and the electrode terminal was connected with the digital pH meter and when the cell reaches to its suitable potential it is measured in mV. The platinum electrode was then exposed to a tungsten lamp with 200W and the intensity of the light can be changed by using the lamp with different voltage. To cut off the IR radiations a water filter is used which is kept in between the “illumination chamber” and the “light source.”

Result and Discussion I. Rh B-EDTA-Tween 80

At different pH values the measurement of photo potential of Rh B-EDTA-Tween 80 system is observed and it is seen that it reaches to its maximum value at pH 12.2. This value is taken as standard and all the other subsequent measurement is taken at this pH only. In about 140 minute of illumination, the value of photo potential increases up to 1162.0 mV and do not increases on further illumination and after switching off the light, the system do not regains its original potential value. Therefore, it is confirmed that the system is not perfectly

“reversible”.

II. MB-EDTA-NaLS

At different pH values the measurement of “photo potential” of Methylene Blue – EDTA – NaLS system is observed and it is seen that it reaches to its maximum value at pH 10.3. This value is taken as standard and all the other subsequent measurement is taken at this pH only.

In about 130 minute of illumination, the value of photo potential increases up to 1082.0 mV and do not increases on further illumination and after switching off the light, the system do not regains its original potential value. Therefore, it is confirmed that the system is not

“reversible”.

III. Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB

At different pH values the measurement of photo potential of Rh 6G – EDTA - CTAB system is observed and it is seen that it reaches to its maximum value at pH 12.8. This value is taken as standard and all the other subsequent measurement is taken at this pH only. In about 140 minute of illumination, the value of photo potential increases up to 1380.0 mV and do not increases on further illumination and after switching off the light, the system do not regains its original potential value. Therefore, it is confirmed that the system is not “reversible”.

IV. Safranine-EDTA-ALS

At different pH values the measurement of photo potential of Safranine – EDTA – ALS system is observed and it is seen that it reaches to its maximum value at pH 11.9. This value is taken as standard and all the other subsequent measurement is taken at this pH only. In about 130 minute of illumination, the value of photo potential increases up to 1205.0 mV and do not increases on further illumination and after switching off the light, the system do not regains its original potential value. Therefore, it is confirmed that the system is not

“reversible”.

In the presence of EDTA, the photo current of Rhodamine B is examined and it is found that the “photo potential” and “current” is less when to compare to Rhodamine B-EDTA-Tween 80 system.

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The photo induced short circuit current of Rh B-EDTA-Tween 80, MB-EDTA-NaLS, Rh 6G- EDTA-CTAB &Safranine-EDTA-ALS was measured. When exposed to light, maximum photocurrent 510 µA is obtained in 260 minutes in “Rh B-EDTA-Tween 80 system,” 490 µA is obtained in 200 minutes in MB-EDTA-NaLS, and 780 µA is obtained in 360 minutes in

“Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB”& 622 µA is obtained in 300 minutes in Safranine-EDTA-ALS. The MB-EDTA-NaLS system takes much less time than other three systems. The trend of short- circuit photocurrent of “Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB” is much better than other three systems.

Table-1

S.No. Electrical parameter Observed value of systems Rh B-EDTA-

Tween80

MB-EDTA- NaLS

Rh 6G- EDTA- CTAB

Safranine- EDTA- ALS

1. Photo potential 1162 1082 1380 1205

2. Maximum photocurrent 510 490 780 622

3. Short circuit current 450 420 720 554

4. Equilibrium photocurrent 450 420 720 554

5. Current at power point 200 220 440 311

6. Potential at power point 658 514 680 602

7. Power at power point 131.6 113.8 298.6 224.8

8. Rate of generation of current

14.17 13.61 78.17 42.66

9. Charging time 140 130 140 130

10. Fill factor 0.2516 0.2488 1.026 0.9896

11. Conversion efficiency 1.2653 1.087 1.7663 1.286

12. T1/2 170 160 340 280

13. Open circuit voltage 1162 1082 1380 1205

14. Storage capacity 1.2142 1.2307 1.5412 1.1206

V. “Power conversion efficiency” of “photo galvanic cell”

The “power conversion efficiency” of an “electro chemical cell” is considered to be one of its most important characteristic features and in order to get the “power conversion efficiency”

of the cell in all the 4 systems, their i-v characteristic is been investigated. The rectangular of maximum area is been used to get the highest possible “power output” from the cell and this can be drawn under “i-v characteristic curve.”

The “power point in i-v curve”was determined and there “fill factor” were calculated. The efficiencies of all four systems of photo galvanic cell have been calculated.

Table-2

System VOC(mV) ISC(µA) Vpp(mV) Ipp(µA) Fill Factor

Rh B-EDTA-Tween 1162 450 658 200 0.2516

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80

MB-EDTA-NaLS 1082 420 514 220 0.2488

Rh 6G-EDTA-

CTAB

1380 720 680 440 1.026

Safranine-EDTA- ALS

1205 554 602 311 0.9896

VI. “Conversion efficiency” and “sunlight” conversion data of the cell

Table-3

System Fill Factor Conversion efficiency (%)

Rh B-EDTA-Tween 80 0.2516 1.2653

MB-EDTA-NaLS 0.2488 1.087

Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB 1.026 1.7663

Safranine-EDTA-ALS 0.9896 1.286

VII. Performance of the Cell

The required load is applied externally in order to study the performance of all the 4 systems and get the “potential” and the “current” that matches to “power point.” The time was determined after the light it is removed and this is the time which is taken to reach half the value of “cell power”.

Table-4

System Power(µW) T1/2(minutes)

Rh B-EDTA-Tween 80 131.6 170

MB-EDTA-NaLS 113.8 160

Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB 298.6 340

Safranine-EDTA-ALS 224.8 280

4. Conclusion & Future Direction

The aim of the study is to convert “solar energy” to “electrical energy” in the photo galvanic with the help of redox reactions due to the reason that at present the absolute cost of the

“solar energy” is very high in comparison to any other source of energy like non renewable source. Photo galvanic cell is used as converter device which converters “solar energy” in to

“electrical energy” which is the only “solar energy” conversion device that has the storage capacity as well.Our study reveals that photo galvanic cell gives high“electrical output”that has better “storage capacity” and that also gives special attention to reduce the cell cost so that it can give commercial feasibility. Since the dye is been used in the “photo galvanic”cells, its cost is less because the dyes are cheap and in very less quantity reductant such as “EDTA” whose cost is also very less. Therefore, the scope of development is more while working with the “photo galvanic cells.” Based on the observations, the study concludes that the “photo galvanic cells” are better option to convert and store the “solar

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energy,” also it is observed in the study that the “photo galvanic effect” on all the four systems, Rh 6G-EDTA-CTAB system was efficient in all the ways.

5. Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to The Principal, DeshbandhuCollege,University of Delhi Kalkaji New Delhi-110019 for providing the necessary laboratory facilities to conduct this research works.

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