A plausible mechanism in premicellar aggregates for photocurrent generation in photogalvanic cell for simultaneously solar power conversion and storage

• Published in: Energy conversion and management 2022-09, Vol.268, p.116039, Article 116039
• Main Authors: Mall, Chandrakanta, Tiwari, Shachi, Solanki, Prem Prakash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Mechanism; Methylene blue; Photogalvanic cell; Premicellar aggregates; Sodium dodecyl sulphate; Solar cell
• ISSN: 0196-8904; 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116039

[Display omitted] •Proposed a plausible mechanism in premicellar region of surfactant for photocurrent generation in photogalvanic cell.•Solar energy is absorbed by photosensitizer in DSSC and PG cell, while semiconductor absorbs light in PV cell. The electron moves towards external circuit with the help of a semiconductor in DSSC and PV while in the PG cell through Pt-electrode.•The chemical reactions occur on the surface (solid) of electrode in the PV and DSSC but in the PG cell, it occurs inside the electrolyte solution.•SDS provides a definite mannered arrangement to MB molecules. This results enhancement the number of stabilized and solubilized MB molecules for absorption of solar energy as well as transfer of electron from solution to electrode.•Thus, ultimately, increase the number of electron in external circuit leads to enhance the performance of the PG cell. Photogalvanic (PG) cells are the only solar cell that can convert and store solar energy simultaneously. The PG cell is based on the diffusion of electrolytes (dye, reductant, alkali/acid and surfactant). We have completed photogalvanic study for the four (BCB-fructose, BCB-AA, MB-fructose and MB-AA) redox systems without and with SDS, CTAB and tween 80 surfactant in our previous research work. The results show that the most efficient system is MB-AA-SDS, in which methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer, ascorbic acid (AA) as reductant, and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as anionic surfactant is used. Since, to make an efficient cell, it is very important to understand the mechanism part. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to provide information about the basic difference of photocurrent generation in PV, DSSC and the PG cell, a plausible mechanism for the generation of electricity in the PG cell having MB, AA and SDS, and also give mechanism for stabilization of MB molecules in premicellar region of SDS on the basis of findings of our previous research work and literature study. For the same, first, made a comparative study for generation of electricity in PV, DSSC and the PG cell, then the most possible mechanism for photocurrent generation in PG cell and lastly mechanism for solubilization and stabilization of the MB molecules by SDS have been given. The comparative study of different solar cells shows that the basic principle for conversion of solar to electrical energy is same for all solar cells. The main difference is in the place of chemical reactions which occur on the surface of