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Exploratory insight into the photogalvanics of the complete electrolyte and its individual chemical components

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Abstract

The complete electrolyte of photogalvanic cells consists of the sensitizer, reductant, surfactant, alkali, and water solvent. In the present research, the electrochemical properties of the individual chemicals of electrolyte and complete electrolyte (including surfactant) have been studied both in the dark and illuminated conditions. Individual chemical components or combination of any two or three chemical components at low pH show very low potential (≤ 401 mV) and current (≤ 13 µA) under both pre-illuminated (dark) and illuminated conditions. For complete electrolyte (including surfactant) at high pH, the observed dark potential, photo potential, current (in dark), and current (in sunlight) is 495 mV, 720 mV, 522 µA, and 2460 µA, respectively. It has been observed that, in the case of high pH conditions of the complete electrolyte, the abrupt jump in the potential coupled with high photo-current is observed during illumination of the cell. Therefore, it is concluded that high potential and current can be obtained by combining all chemical components of the electrolyte at a time under necessary conditions including the high pH. The photogalvanics is achievable only from complete electrolyte at very high pH. The complete electrolyte (excluding surfactant) at high pH also shows photogalvanics. But, a bit low electrical output for complete electrolyte (excluding surfactant) vis-à-vis that of complete electrolyte (including surfactant) is observed and that may be attributed to the lack of role of surfactant in the dye solubility and stability. It is a reported fact that the surfactant enhances the electrical output of the photogalvanic cells. So by taking all these facts, it may be concluded that the requirement of a surfactant is not a necessary condition for photogalvanics, but its presence in the electrolyte enhances it (photogalvanics). Further, the potential and current of the cell at its initial stage and post-sensitizer degradation stage may be attributed to the polar and ionic nature of the individual chemical components of the electrolyte.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to the Department of Chemistry, Jai Narain Vyas, University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan (India), for providing all necessary laboratory facilities. Author, Jyoti Saren, is also grateful to the University Grants Commission (India) for providing a fellowship vide UGC JRF Award letter No.: 355/ (CSIR-UGC NET JUNE 2018)/12 April, 2019.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

    Pooran Koli, Jyoti Saren, Anamika Charan, Anita Meena,  Dheerata & Rajendra Kumar

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Contributions

Authors P.K. and J.S. have contributed to every aspect of this research work including the conception, design of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data, revision, etc. Authors A.C., A.M., D. and R.K. have contributed to the design of work, participated in experiments, interpretation of data, review of manuscript, English and language checking, etc. Additionally, the author P.K. has also contributed as a corresponding author, mentor, and supervisor of the research work. All authors have approved the submitted version.

Authors P.K. and J.S. have contributed to every aspect of this research work including the conception, design of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data, and revision. Authors A.C., A.M., D., and R.K. have contributed to the design of work, participated in experiments, interpretation of data, review of manuscript, English and language checking, etc. Additionally, the author P.K. has also contributed as a corresponding author, mentor, and supervisor of the research work. All authors have approved the submitted version.

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Koli, P., Saren, J., Charan, A. et al. Exploratory insight into the photogalvanics of the complete electrolyte and its individual chemical components. Ionics 30, 1815–1831 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-024-05401-y

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