Abstract
The photogalvanic cells (PG) are the promising and renewable electrochemical energy devices capable of doing the simultaneous solar power generation and storage. To realize the aim of the practical application of the PG cells in daily life, the electrical output of these cells has to be further enhanced to a level at least comparable to that of the photovoltaic cells. The present study of the PG cells based on so far unexplored Congo red dye-formaldehyde as a photosensitizer-reductant couple along with efficiency enhancer surfactant reagent (sodium lauryl sulfate) in the sodium hydroxide alkaline medium has shown greatly enhanced cell performance over published results. The present study has shown electrical cell performance of the PG cell as Ppp 782 μW, isc 3200 μA, Voc 1074 mV, and CE 11.02% at artificial and low illumination intensity. The storage capacity (t0.5) of the PG cell has been observed in the present study as 120 min in the dark. The study of variation of the different cell fabrication parameters has shown optimum cell performance at an optimal value of these cell fabrication parameters. The most plausible mechanism of the photo-generation of the current in PG cells is also proposed on the basis of observed potential values and published literature.
Highlights
The photogalvanic cells (PG) are the promising and renewable electrochemical energy devices capable of doing the simultaneous solar power generation and storage
The PG cell works on the principle of the photogalvanic effect in which the photochemical changes occurring in the solution causing photopotential generation on illumination
The storage capacity (t0.5) of the PG cell has been observed in present study as 120 min in the dark
Summary
The photogalvanic cells (PG) are the promising and renewable electrochemical energy devices capable of doing the simultaneous solar power generation and storage. To ensure good diffusion and sensitivity, the small size Pt electrode (which creates less hindrance to the mobility of the ions) with more sensitive combination electrode (only SCE terminal used) has attracted the attention of the researchers to successfully improve the PG cell performance to a high level as 649.6 μW power (Ppp), 2250 μA current ( isc), 1048 mV potential (Voc), 8.12% conversion efficiency (CE), and 59 min power storage capacity (as half change time, t0.5) at artificial and low illumination intensity. The position emerges out of the literature survey is that the use of small size Pt electrode, combination electrode, high pH range and NaLS surfactant in alkaline medium with so far unexplored congo red dye-formaldehyde system could be a route for further updating and enhancing the electrical performance of the PG cells, and the present study was undertaken
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