Premium
Photogalvanic effect in aqueous Methylene blue nickel mesh systems: Conversion of light into electricity
Author(s) -
Bayer Ilker S.,
Eroğlu Inci,
Türker Lemi
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.672
Subject(s) - electrolyte , electrode , current density , methylene blue , electrochemistry , optoelectronics , open circuit voltage , materials science , aqueous solution , chemistry , schottky diode , analytical chemistry (journal) , cathode , diode , voltage , electrical engineering , photocatalysis , catalysis , engineering , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , chromatography
The photogalvanic effect in electrochemical cells, employing aqueous Methylene blue and Fe(II)/Fe(III) couple electrolyte and nickel‐mesh electrodes, were experimentally investigated. Five different standard H‐cell configurations were set‐up by modifying the electrolyte. Long‐term open‐circuit voltage measurements were conducted in order to test the stability of the cells. Light on–off reproducibility experiments were also carried out during lengthy cell operations. By comparing experimental quantum yield with theoretical predictions, it was found that the cells operate on differential electrode kinetics. Oxidation of the illuminated electrode was detected. This affected the current–voltage characteristics of the cells after a sufficiently long cell operation. Schottky junction treatment was used to model the electrolyte–electrode junction. After calculating the ratio between the majority carrier (electron) current density and minority carrier (hole) current density, we concluded that the oxidation of the electrodes contributes positively to the cell performance since the electrode–electrolyte interface shows unipolar Schottky diode characteristics. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.