Issue 21, 2024, Issue in Progress

Photogalvanics of copper and brass working electrodes in the NaOH-Allura Red-d-galactose-DDAC electrolyte for solar power generation

Abstract

Solar energy is a limitless energy resource that can be used to produce electricity forever. Photogalvanic cells can convert solar energy into electricity with inherent power storage. The electrolyte(s) and a combination of two electrodes are the main materials required for fabrication of these cells. So far, platinum has been used as the working electrode in photogalvanic cells. Platinum is an extremely rare and expensive metal. Copper and its alloy (brass) have been identified as alternative working electrodes to substitute the platinum working electrode in photogalvanic cells. In addition, copper and brass utilization is identified to be an effective, user-friendly, and safe approach for high-power generation. Therefore, in the present work, cheap and easily obtainable copper and brass (alloy of copper and zinc) working electrodes have been exploited with the twin aim of high-power generation with less input cost. In the present study, the observed power, current, potential, and efficiency for the copper electrode are 552.3 µW, 4030 µA, 713 mV, and 8.54%, respectively, and those for the brass electrode are 546.4 µW, 5320 µA, 739 mV, and 6.12%, respectively. The observed electrical performance is greatly enhanced compared to most of the already reported photogalvanics with platinum electrode. Copper and brass are slightly and slowly corroded by the alkali, but despite this electrode loss, both materials are promising to produce the highest power. In the future, this electrode loss can be checked by using inhibitors.

Graphical abstract: Photogalvanics of copper and brass working electrodes in the NaOH-Allura Red-d-galactose-DDAC electrolyte for solar power generation

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Feb 2024
Accepted
23 Apr 2024
First published
03 May 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2024,14, 14648-14664

Photogalvanics of copper and brass working electrodes in the NaOH-Allura Red-D-galactose-DDAC electrolyte for solar power generation

P. Koli and J. Saren, RSC Adv., 2024, 14, 14648 DOI: 10.1039/D4RA01091D

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