Model of photofuel element on the base of chlorophyll sensitized reactions

Abstract

Photogalvanic effect has been studied in ethanol-aqueous solution containing: 1 × 10⁻³ M cysteine, 5 × 10⁻⁵ M chlorophyll ‘A’ and 1 × 10⁻⁴ M methylviologen. During photosensitized reduction of methylviologen open-circuit photovoltage was −650 mV and short-circuit photocurrent was 100 μA/cm². The maximum power output from the photogalvanic element was 2 × 10⁻⁵ W at load resistance 6 kΩ. Principal differences and advantages of investigated triple photochemical system have been discussed as compared with double photochemical systems consisting of pigment and electron donor. Since the power output from the element consists of absorbed light power and power of electron donor oxidation, such electricity source may be called ‘photofuel element’. The possibility of application of the investigated photochemical system for creation of high efficiency photoelectroconverters of solar energy has been suggested.