High energy throughput using photogalvanic solar techniques and environmentally benign chemical system

Abstract

Solar energy is gradually becoming integrated into households, holding the potential to address energy requirements through technologies like PV cells. Ongoing research is actively exploring diverse methods of harnessing solar power, with Photogalvanic cells emerging as a particularly promising alternative to Photovoltaic cells. The advantage lies in the cost-effectiveness and simplified fabrication, coupled with the capability of power storage. The utilization of the economical Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium (DOSS) surfactant, widely employed in industry, has yielded impressive electrical performance. The present investigation presents a reliable photogalvanic system composed of the photosensitizer dye Quinoline Yellow, the reductant Cellobiose, and the surfactant Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium (DOSS), all in a highly alkaline solution with platinum and graphite electrodes. The platinum electrode employed is notably small, boasting a surface area of 0.03 cm², which enhances the diffusion characteristics of the dye molecules, it is contributing to an enhanced electrical performance of the photogalvanic cell. The resulting photogalvanic cell demonstrates superior electrical performance, featuring a maximum potential of 870 mV, a maximum current of 8000 µA, power at PowerPoint of 695 µW, a fill factor of 0.11, and a conversion efficiency of 13.78 %. Spectrophotometric analysis has confirmed the stability of the dye within the electrolyte solution. Additionally, conductometric analysis has revealed that the surfactant Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium (DOSS) enhances the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte solution.