Sudan-I dye and Fructose chemicals based photogalvanic cells for electrochemical solar energy conversion and storage at low and artificial sun intensity

Abstract

With the rapid commercialization of wind and solar power generation, the need of power storage capacity is gaining importance. The photogalvanic cells as described in the present manuscript are promising energy devices as they provide for a route for simultaneous solar power generation and its storage. The study of photogalvanics of Sudan-I dye (photo-sensitizer)-Fructose (reductant)-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (surfactant) has been done in alkaline medium at low and artificial sun intensity with aim of finding relatively better combination of chemicals like photosensitizer, reductant and surfactant for further enhancing the efficiency of these cells. This combination of chemicals has shown very impressive and surprisingly very high improvement in cell performance. The optimum conditions for cell have also been observed for optimal cell performance. The power at power point, solar conversion efficiency, open circuit potential, equilibrium current, charging time, and power storage capacity (as half time) at 10.4 mWcm−2 (low and artificial illumination intensity) has been observed of the order of 367.8 μW, 11.49%, 1014 mV, 1350 μA, 21 min, and 30 min, respectively.

Keywords

• Solar energy
• Solar energy conversion
• Solar power storage
• Photogalvanic cells
• Sudan-I