Photogalvanic cell for conversion of solar energy into electricity: Safranine–Arabinose–Sodium lauryl sulphate system

Photogalvanic cell containing safranine as photosensitizer, arabinose as electron donor and sodium lauryl sulphate (NaLS) as micelles species, has been used for conversion of solar energy into electricity. The photopotential and photocurrent generated were 827.0 mV and 117 μA, respectively. The effect of various parameters like concentration of photosensitizer, electron donor and micelles, variation of pH, light intensity and diffusion path length were observed. A current–voltage (i–V) characteristics of the cell was studied and the conversion efficiency and fill factor were determined at the power point of the cell. The photogalvanic cell can be used for 91.0 min in the dark due to its storage capacity. A tentative mechanism has been proposed for the generation of the photocurrent. The electrical output of the cell has also been observed for safranine and arabinose only (without micelles species) system.

► Safranine as dye, arabinose as reductant and NaLS as micelles has been used.
► We have compared the electrical output of the cell with and without micelles.
► Micelles not only increase conversion efficiency but also increase storage capacity.
► Conversion efficiency 0.3850% and storage capacity 91.0 min have been observed.