Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Role of Surfactants in Photogalvanics: Solar Energy Conversion and Storage in the Sodium Lauryl Sulphate–Thymol Blue–Mannose System

  • Research Article - Chemistry
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) was used as a surfactant, thymol blue as a photosensitizer and mannose as a reductant in a photogalvanic cell to improve the conversion efficiency and storage capacity of such cells to achieve commercial viability. The photopotential and photocurrent generated were 635.0 mV and 100.0 μA, respectively. The effect of various parameters including concentration of photosensitizer, reductant and surfactant, pH and diffusion length on the cell properties was observed. The observed conversion efficiency and the maximum power of the cell were 0.23% and 24.60 μW, respectively. The fill factor was 0.25 at the power point of the cell. The photogalvanic cell can be used for 37 minutes in the dark following illumination for 120 minutes. The current–voltage characteristics of the photogalvanic cell were studied experimentally. All of the results observed for the system were lower in absence of surfactant. The absorption spectra of the systems with and without surfactant were also studied.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Becquerel K.: On electron effects under the influence of solar radiation. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 9, 561 (1839)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rideal E.K., Williams E.G.: The action of light on the ferrous iodine/iodide equlibrium. J. Chem. Soc. Trans. 127, 258–269 (1925)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Rabinowitch E.: The photogalvanic effect I: the photo-chemical properties of the thionine-iron system. J. Chem. Phys. 8, 551–559 (1940)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Potter A.E., Thaller L.H.: Efficiency of some fe-thionine photogalvanic cells. Sol. Energy 3, 1–7 (1959)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Oshida I., Yoshida M.: Photogalvanic cells with ion-exchanger membrane electrolytes. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 2, 439–440 (1963)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Albery W.J., Archer M.D.: Photogalvanic cells II: current–voltage and power characteristics. J. Electrochem. Soc. 124, 688–697 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zeichner A., Goldstein J.R., Stein G.: Photogalvanic effect in ferric-bromide solutions. J. Phys. Chem. 82, 1687–1692 (1978)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Murthy A.S.N., Bhargava R., Reddy K.S.: Flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) photogalvanic cell. Int. J. Energy Res. 6(4), 389–395 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. John Albery W., Archer M.D.: Optimum efficiency of photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion. Nature 270, 399–402 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Memming R.: Solar energy conversion by photoelectrochemical processes. Electrochim. Acta. 25, 77–88 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bhardwaj R., Pan R.L., Gross E.L.: Solar energy conversion by chloroplast photoelectrochemical cells. Nature 289, 396 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bayer L.S., Erogle I., Turker L.: Photogalvanic effect in aqueous methylene blue-nickel mesh system: conversion of light into electricity. Int. J. Energy Res. 25, 207–222 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gangotri K.M., Meena R.C.: Use of reductant and photosensitizer in photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion and storage: oxalic acid-methylene blue system. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A Chem. 141, 175–177 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Genwa K.R., Chouhan A.: Role of heterocyclic dye (Azur A) as a photosensitizer in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage: SLS-ascorbic acid system. Sol. Energy 80, 1213–1219 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Genwa K.R., Genwa M., Prakash I.: Photogalvanic effect: comparative studies in three dyes-rhodamine B, methylene blue and safranine. J. Ind. Chem. Soc. 83, 165–167 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Genwa K.R., Khatri N.C.: Role of azine dyes as photosensitizer in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage: brij-35-safranine-DTPA. Int. J. Chem. Sci. 4, 703–712 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gangotri K.M., Bhimwal M.K.: Study the performance of photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion and storage: rose bengal-d xylose-SLS system. Sol. Energy 84(7), 1294–1300 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Madhwani S., Vardia J., Punjabi P.B., Sharma V.K.: Use of fuchsine basic: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid system in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion. J. Power Energy 221, 33–39 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Madhwani S., Choudhary S., Punjabi P.B., Sharma V.K., Ametha S.C.: Use of rose bengal-EDTA system for the generation of electricity in a photogalvanic cell. J. Ind. Chem. Soc. 84, 181–183 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Madhwani S., Ametha R., Vardia J., Punjabi P.B., Sharma V.K.: Use of fluorescein-EDTA system in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion. Energy Sources Part A 29, 721–729 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Dubey S.: Simultaneous use of two reductants in a photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage. Int. J. Energy Res. 17, 311–314 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Gangotri K.M., Indora V.: Studies in the photogalvanic effect in mixed reductants system for solar energy conversion and storage: dextrose and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-azur A system. Sol. Energy 84, 271–276 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Gangotri K.M., Indora V., Bhimwal M.K.: Studies of mixed reductant systems with azur A as photosensitizer for solar energy conversion and storage in photogalvanic cells. Int. J. Sustain. Energy 30, 119–128 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Gangotri K.M., Lal C.: Use of mixed dyes as photosensitizer in solar cell for solar energy conversion and storage: EDTA-MB-AB system. Energy Sources 23, 267–271 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Lal C., Yadav S.: Use of mixed dyes in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage: EDTA-toluidine blue and azur-B system. Asian J. Chem. 19, 981–987 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gangotri K.M., Pramila S.: Use of anionic micelles in photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion and storage: dioctylsulfosuccinate-mannitol-safranine system. Energy Sources 29, 1253–1257 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Genwa K.R., Genwa M.: Photogalvanic cell: a new appraoch for green and sustainable chemistry. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 92, 522–529 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Genwa K.R., Kumar A., Sonel A.: Photogalvanic solar energy conversion: Study with photosensitizers toluidine blue and malachite green in presence of SLS. Appl. Energy 86, 1431–1436 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gangotri K.M., Gangotri P.: Studies of the micellar effects on photogalvanics: solar energy conversion and storage in EDTA-safranine O-tween-80 system. Energy Fuels 23(5), 2767–2772 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Gangotri, K.M.; Solanki, P.P.; Bhimwal, M.K.: Use of anionic micelles in photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion and storage: sodium lauryl sulphate–mannose-brilliant cresyl blue system. Energy Sources Part A Recovery Util. Environ. Eff. (2011, accepted)

  31. Gangotri, K.M.; Solanki, P.P.: Use of Sodium lauryl sulphate as a surfactant in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage: sodium lauryl sulphate-methylene blue-mannose system. Energy Sources Part A Recovery Util. Environ. Eff. (2011, accepted)

  32. Moroi Y., Infelte P.P., Gratzel M.: Light initiated redox reactions in functional micellar assemblies. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 101, 573–579 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Rohtagi-Mukherjee K.K., Chaudhuri R., Bhowmik B.B.: Molecular interaction of phenosafranine with surfactants and its photogalvanic effect. J Colloid Interface Sci. 106, 45–51 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Kaneko A., Yamada A.: Photopotential and photocurrent induced by tolusafranine-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid system. J. Phys. Chem. 81, 1213–1215 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ameta S.C., Khamesra S., Bala M., Gangotri K.M.: Use of micelles in photogalvanic cell for solar energy conversion and storage. Philipp. J. Sci. 119, 371–373 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Prem Prakash Solanki

  2. Photochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, 342005, Rajasthan, India

    Prem Prakash Solanki & K. M. Gangotri

Authors
  1. Prem Prakash Solanki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. M. Gangotri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Prem Prakash Solanki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Solanki, P.P., Gangotri, K.M. The Role of Surfactants in Photogalvanics: Solar Energy Conversion and Storage in the Sodium Lauryl Sulphate–Thymol Blue–Mannose System. Arab J Sci Eng 37, 91–100 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-011-0152-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-011-0152-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation