A comparative study on the performance of photogalvanic cells with different photosensitizers for solar energy conversion and storage: D-Xylose-NaLS systems

The comparative performance of photogalvanic cells has been studied for solar energy conversion and storage by using Methyl Orange, Rose Bengal, Toluidine Blue and Brilliant Cresyl Blue as different photosensitizers with d-Xylose as reductant and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (NaLS) as surfactant in the different systems. The photogeneration of photopotential are 890.0, 885.0, 945.0 and 940.0 mV whereas the maximum photocurrent is 625.0, 575.0, 510.0 and 480.0 μA, respectively. The short circuit current or photocurrent at equilibrium is 480.0, 460.0, 430.0 and 440.0 μA, respectively. The observed conversion efficiencies for Methyl Orange, Rose Bengal, Toluidine Blue and Brilliant Cresyl Blue with d-Xylose and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate systems are 1.6245, 1.5261, 1.4323 and 1.1057%, respectively. The fill factors 0.3244, 0.3151, 0.3120, and 0.2408 are experimentally determined at the power point of the cell where the absolute value is 1.0. The photogalvanic cells so developed can work for 160.0, 145.0, 130.0 and 140.0 min in dark if it is irradiated for 180.0, 165.0, 135.0 and 150.0 min, respectively where the percentage of storage capacity of photogalvanic cells are found 87.87%–96.29%. All observed results are the higher among the reported results so far in the literature.

Research highlights
► The discussed photogalvanic cells have higher storage capacity and conversion efficiency of sunlight, in comparison to the present solar cells.
► A comparative performance of photogalvanic cells was studied by applying different photosensitizers (dyes) systems.
► A more reliable estimate of the maximum conversion efficiency and storage capacity are achieved 1.1057%–1.6245% and 96.29%, respectively.
► On the basis of sunlight conversion data, the observed maximum photocurrent and photopotential are 1200.0 μA and 2360.0 mV, respectively.
► The literature survey reveals that the reported results in the present research work are the highest so far.