Development of low-cost and environmentally friendly photogalvanics by utilizing dilute solutions of dye, reductant, and surfactant in alkaline medium

Abstract

To minimize or eliminate the release of hazardous gases into the atmosphere (such as CO₂, CO, and methane), the world must rapidly transition to large-scale production and use of renewable energy technologies instead of fossil fuels and other nonrenewable sources. Renewable energy technologies will play a crucial role in creating a low-carbon energy system over the next several decades. To optimize the higher conversion efficiency and photocurrent of a photogalvanic solar system, the author previously used methyl orange with D-xylose and sodium lauryl sulfate (NaLS), achieving a conversion efficiency of 1.6245% and a photocurrent of 480 μA. Currently, renewable energy sources account for approximately 11% of total global primary energy production. To increase this contribution, a revised photogalvanic solar system is explored; the present study focuses on the performance of the PG solar cell by a unique combination of solutions using methyl orange as a photosensitizer with fructose as a reductant, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) as a surfactant. In the present work, utilizing a very dilute solution of methyl orange, fructose, and DSS surfactant with concentrations of 4.96 × 10⁻⁵ M, 1.84 × 10⁻³ M, and 3.12 × 10⁻³ M, respectively. The highest photo potential, photocurrent, storage capacity, and conversion efficiency were recorded as 1310.0 mV, 655.0 μA, 97%, and 4.575%, respectively. The experimental results and statistical analysis of the effect of different parameters like the concentration of solutions, temperature, electrode area, diffusion length, etc. reveal that all the parameters were significant in achieving the goal.