International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 11

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

Studies of Surfactant and Photosensitizer in Photogalvanic Cell for Solar

Energy Conversion and Storage: Methyl Violet NaLS and EDTA System
Shivram Saini, Shri Bai and R.C. Meena
Department of Chemistry, Jai Narain Vyas University,
Jodhpur -342005 (Rajasthan), India

Abstract
The photocurrent and photovolatges in photogalvanic cell were studied for conversion and storage of solar energy by
using NaLS as surfactant, EDTA as reductant and methyl violet as sensitizer. The observed conversion efficiency was
1.182% and the maximum power of cell was 122.98m. The maximum photopotential was 945 mV and the maximum
photocurrent is 260A. The storage capacity of the cell was 90.0 min in dark. The effect of different parameters on
electrical output of the cell was observed. A mechanism was proposed for the photogeneration of electrical energy.

Keywords: methyl violet, NaLS (surfactant), photopotential, photocurrent, conversion efficiency

conversion of solar energy into electrical energy was

1. Introduction
Energy is the harbinger of growth, development and

studied [18]-[21]

prosperity of a nation. However the conventional source

Use of micelles in solar energy conversion & storage

of energy is limited, but solar energy is renewable source

were investigated by Gangotretal [22], studies of

of energy. The solar cells convert sunlight directly in to

surfactant in photogalvanic cell was observed by Meena

electricity with acceptable conversion efficiency. The

et at[23]-[25] and Role of Reductant & photo sensitizer

photogalvanic effect was First of all observed by Rideal

in solar energy conversion and storage; The present

and Williaas [1] later, it was systematically investigated

work is the effort to observe the role of surfactant

by Rabinowitch [2], [3] and various other workers time

(NaLS) and Reductant (EDTA) in presence of methyl

to time [4],[5].A metal based studied photogalvanic cells

violet as photosensitizer in photogalvanic cell for solar

for solar energy conversion and storage was studied

energy conversion and storage.

2. Experimental

[6],[7] use of some reductant and photo sensitizer in

photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion and

The system contains methyl violet dye NaLS surfactant,

storage

of

NaOH, EDTA and water, used in the reported system is

with

distilled twice in the laboratory only. All the Solutions

reductant and surfactant work done [10]-[13]. Recently

were prepared in doubly distilled water and kept in

the photogalvanic effect in various interesting system

amber colored containers to protect them from sunlight.

were observed

A mixture of solution of NaLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate),

was

photogalvanic

investigated
cell

[8]-[9].The

consisting

[14]-[17].

various

studies
dyes

The photo chemical

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 12

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

methyl violet ,EDTA and sodium hydroxide was taken

observed results (NaLS) surfactant are reported in Figure

in a n H-shaped glass tube.

2.

A platinum electrode

(1.0x1.0cm2) was immersed into one arm of the H-tube

3.2 Effect of variation of EDTA concentration on the

and a saturated calomel electrode(SCE) was kept in the

system

others, the whole system was first placed in dark till a

Ethyl Diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) is a reductant

stable potential was obtained and then, the arm

and as a electron donor. The current and potential output

containing the SCE was kept in the dark and the

of the cell increased with increase in concentration of

platinum electrode was exposed to a 200 tungsten lamp.

reductant till it reaches a maximum on further increase in

A water filter was used to cut off infrared radiations.

concentration of reductant, a decrease in the electrical

The photochemical bleaching of methyl violet was

output of the cell was observed result is reported in

studied potentiometrically. A digital pH meter (modal

Figure-3.

III) and a microameter were used to measure the

3.3 Effect of variation of Dye (methyl violet)

potential and current generated

concentration on the system.

by the

system,

respectively. The experimental set-up of photogalvanic

It was observed that the photopotential and photocurrent

cell given in Figure-1

were increased with the increase in concentration of the

methyl violet. A maximum was obtained for a particular
value of methyl violet concentration, above which a
decrease in the electrical output of the cell was obtained.
The effect of variation is reported in Figure-4.
3.4 Effect of variation of pH on the system
Photogalvanic cell containing methyl violet-EDTANaLS system was found to be quite sensitive to the pH

Fig. 1 Experimental set-up of Photogalvanic cell

of the solution.

It was observed that increase in

photopotential and photocurrent of the cell with increase

in pH value. At pH 12.6 a maximum value (945.0mV

3. Result and Discussion

3.1 Effect

of

variation of

and 260.0A) was achieved on further increase in PH,

surfactant

[NaLS]

concentration on the system

The photogalvanic cell having

there was a decrease photopotential and photocurrent.

The effect of variation of pH on photopotential and

methyl violet-EDTA-

photocurrent are given in Figure-5

NaLS system, the photopotential and photocurrent were

increased with the increase in concentration of the

3.5 Effect of diffusion Length

surfactant. A maximum was found for a particular value

The effect of diffusion length variation on the electrical

of NaLS concentration, above which decrease in

output and initial rate of generation of photocurrent of

electrical output of photogalvanic cell was obtained. All

the cell was studied using H-types cells of different

dimension. The result are reported in Table -1. It was

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 13

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

observed that there was a sharp increase in photocurrent

connected in the circuit of the multimeter and through

(Imax) in the first few minutes of illumination and then

which an external load was applied.

there was a gradual decrease to a stable value of

characteristics of the cell containing Methyl violet

photocurrent. This kind of photocurrent behavior is an

EDTA-NaLS System are shown graphically in Fig.- 6. A

initial rapid reaction followed by show rate determining

cell performance in Fig.-7. The curve for the cell

step at a later stage on the basis of the effect of diffusion

deviates from its ideal regular rectangular shape.

path length on the current parameter, It may be

point in the i-V curve, called the power point (pp), was

concluded that the lenco or semi reduced form of dyes

determined where the product of photocurrent and

and the dye it self are the main electro active species at

photopotential is maximum.

the illuminated and the dark electrodes respectively.

current at the power point are represented by (Vpp) and

However, the reducing agent and its oxidized products

(ipp) respectively. With the help of the (i-V) curve, the

behave as the electron carries in the cell diffusing

Fill Factor and Conversion Efficiency of the cell are

through the path.

found to be 0.51 and 69.2%, respectively, using the

3.6 Effect of light intensity

formulae:

The photocurrent shows a linear increasing behavior

Fill Factor :

with increase in the intensity of the light, whereas the

The i-V

The potential and the

Vpp x Ipp
_____________
Voc x isc

photopotential increases in a logarithmic manner. The

variation of these electric parameters with light intensity
is shown in Table-2 the number of photons per unit area

Conversion Efficiency =

Vpp x ipp
_______ x 100
10.4mWcm-2

(incident power) that strike the dye molecules around the

platinum electrode increases with the increase in the
light intensity.

Hence, the photocurrent and the

photopotential of the photogalvanic cell are affected

favourably (increases). On the other hand, increase in
light intensity also raises the temperature of the cell.
Therefore, an intensity of medium order (10.4mWcm-2)
was used for all investigations.

external load that was necessary to have the current and

the potential at the power point after removing the
source of light. The cell can be used in the dark at its
power point for 90.0 min. Thus, whereas photovoltaic
cell cannot be used in the dark even for a second, a
photogalvanic system has the advantage of being used in

Current-voltage (i-V) characteristics, conversion

efficiency and performance of the cell.

the dark, but at lower conversion efficiency.

3.5 Mechanism

The open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current

(isc) of the photogalvanic cell were measured by means
of a digital multimeter (keeping the circuit closed),
respectively.

The performance of the cell was studied by applying the

The current and potential between two

extreme values (Voc) and (isc) were recorded with the

As no reaction is observed between the methyl violet

and EDTA in the dark, it may be concluded that the
redox potential of EDTA is much higher than that of.
Methyl violet A rapid fall in potential is observed when
the platinum electrode is illuminated.

assistance of a carbon pot (linear 470 K) that was

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The potential

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 14

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

reaches a steady value after certain period of exposure.

point for 122.98 min. Photogalvanic cells, but they lack

The direction of change of potential does not return to its

storage capacity. Photogalvanic cells have the added

initial value. This means that the main reversible

advantage of having in-built storage capacity. The time

photochemical reaction is also accompanied by some

is not far off when the conversion efficiency of these

side irreversible reactions. The electro active species in

cells will be comparable with that of existing solar cells.

this photogalvanic system is thus different from that of

Thus, photogalvanic cells show good prospects of

the well-studied methyl violet-EDTA system. In the

becoming commercially viable.

present case, the lecuo-or

semi reduced dye is

considered to be the electrode active species in the

Acknowledgements

laminated chamber, and the dye itself in dark chamber.

Authors are grateful to the Head of the Department of

On the basis of the information gained above, the

chemistry, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur,

mechanism

laboratory for facilities and C.S.I.R. New Delhi for

of

photocurrent

generation

in

the

photogalvanic cell can be represented as:

Financial assistance to conduct this research work.

Illuminated Chamber

Nomenclature

Bulk Solution

ieq

photocurrent at equilibrium

imax

maximum photocurrent

ipp

photocurrent at power point

isc

short circuit current

mv

millivalt

molarity

pp

power point

t1\2

storage capacity of cell

Dv

observed photopotential

VoC

open circuit voltage

Vpp

photo potential at the power point

fill factor

mA

microampere

mW

microwatt

4. CONCLUSIONS

S.N

Parameter

On the basis of above results, it is concluded that methyl

1.

Dark potential

267

violet can be used successfully as a photosensitizer in a

2.

Open circuit voltage

1212

photogalvanic cell. The conversion efficiency of the cell

3.

is 1.182 and the cell can be used in dark at its power

4.

SH
hv
SH* + R(EDTA)

SH
SH + R+

e-

At Electrode
SH-

SH

(Platinum

electrode)
Dark Chamber
At Electrode
SH

e-

SH + R (SCE electrode)

SH-

Bulk Solution
SH- + R+

Where SH SH- R and R+ are methyl violet, its semi or

leuco

form,

reductant

and

its

oxidized

form,

respectively.

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Observed value

Photopotential (Dv)
Equilibrium photocurrent

945
260

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 15

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

5.

Maximum photocurrent

280
25.5MA min -1

6.

IGP

7.

Times of illumination

8.

Storage capacity (t1\2)

90.0 min

9.

% of storage capacity

69.2%

10.
11.

conversion efficiency
Fill Factor(n)

130.0 min

1.182
0 .50

References
[1].
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light
on
the
ferrous
iodine
equilibrium,J.Che.Soc.,127,258-269
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[5].
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[6].
S.C.Ameta,S. Khamesra , A.K.Chittora , and
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[7].
S.C.Ameta, Khamesra, Lodhas. and Ameta
R.,Use of thionin-EDTA system in photogalvinic cell
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81-86(1989)
[8].
K.M Gangotri,R.C.Meena,Use of reductant
and photosensitizer in photogalvanic cells for solar
energy conversion and storage: oxalic acidmethylene
blue system Journal of Photochemistry and
Photobiology A, 141( 2),175-177 2001.,

[9].
K. R. Genwa, C. P. Sagar Energy efficiency,
solar energy conversion and storage in photogalvanic
cell Energy Conversion and Management, 66, 121126,2013
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[10]. K.M.GangotriPhotogalvanic
cell for
conversion of solar energy in to electricity: Safranine
Arabinose Sodium lauryl sulphate system, Solar
energy 85,3028-3025, 2011.
[11]. K. M. Gangotri, and M. K.
Bhimwal ,Study the performance of photogalvanic
cells for solar energy conversion and storage: Rose
BengalD-XyloseNaLS system 7, 1294-1300 2010
[12]. K.M. Gangotri and R.C. Meena, Use of
reductant and photosensitizein photogalvanic cells for
solar energy conversion and storage: oxalic acid
methylene blue system J. photochem, photobio. A.
Chem., 141, 175177 2001
[13]. S.Yadav,
C.lal,Optimization
of
performance characteristics of a mixed dye
based photogalvanic cell for efficient solar energy
conversion and storage Energy Conversion and
Management, Volume 66, 271-276 2013
[14]. K.R.Genwa andK.M. Gangotri ,Comparative
studies in anionic caionic and non ionic surfactants in
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[15]. P.Koli, U.Sharma, K.M. Gangotri solar
energy conversion and storage, Rhodamine B-Fructose
photogalvanic cell Renewable Energy, 37(1), 250258 2012
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Photogalvanic solar energy conversion:Study with
photosensitizers Toluidine Blue and Malachite Green
in presence of NaLS Applied Energy, 86(9), 14311436 2009
[18]. K.M. Gangotri and M.K. Bhimwal, The
photochemical conversion of solar energy into
electrical energy: EosinArabinose system Int. J.
Elec. Power & Ene. System, 10, 1106- 1110, 2010

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[19]. K.K.
Bhati
and
K.M.
Gangotri,Photogalvanic conversion of solar energy
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155-158, 2011.
[20]. K.K.Bhati,K.M.Gangotri,Photogalvanic conver
sion of solar energy into electrical
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NaLSxylosemethylene blue system ,International
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Photochem. Photobio. A: chem.; 123, 93 1999
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,Studies of surfactants in photogalvanic cells-NaLS
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Table-1 Effect of Diffusion Length on The System

Methyl violet10-6

NaLS = 1.410-3

EDTA = 2.210-3 PH =12.6

Light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 Temp. =303K

Diffusion path length

Maximum photocurrent Equilibriam

Rate

of

initial

imax(A )

photocurrent

generation

of

imax(A)

current(A min-1)

35.0

204

200

15.68

40.0

210

205

16.58

50.0

280

260

16.78

55.0

293

240

16.46

60.0

300

268

16.59

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 17

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

Table-2 Effect of Variation of Light Intensity

Methyl violet10-6

NaLS = 1.410-3

EDTA = 2.210-3 PH =12.6

Light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 Temp. =303K

Light intensity

Photopotential

Photocurrent

(mV)

(A)

3.1

769

178

2.88

6.2

836

193

2.92

12.4

945

260

2.97

16.6

887

187

2.94

25

736

180

2.86

Methyl violet10-6

NaLS = 1.410-3

Log v

EDTA = 2.210-3 PH =12.6 Light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 Temp. =303K

400

NaLS- Methyl Violate-EDTA System

1050
Photopotential

350

Photocurrent

Photopotential (mV)

Power
850

300

750

250

650
200
550
150

450
350

100
1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.2

NaLS 10-3
Fig. 3.2 VARIATION OF PHOTOPOTENTIAL, PHOTOCURRENT AND POWER
WITH NaLS CONCENTRATION

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Photocurrent (A) & Power (A)

950

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 18

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

Methyl violet10-6

NaLS = 1.410-3

EDTA = 2.210-3 PH =12.6

Light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 Temp. =303K

EDTA-Methyl Violate-NaLS System

Photopotential

1000

300

Phocurrent
280

Power

Photopotential mV

800

260

700

240

600
220
500
200
400
180

300

160

200
100

140

120
2

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

Photocurrent(A) & Power (A)

900

3.2

EDTA 10-3 M
Fig 3.3 VARIATION OF PHOTOPOTENTIAL, PHOTOPOTENTIAL AND POWER WITH EDTA
CONCENTRATION

Methyl violet10-6

NaLS = 1.410-3

EDTA = 2.210-3 PH =12.6

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Light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 Temp. =303K

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 19

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

900

Photopotential

280

Phocurrent

260

Photopotential (mV)

Power

240

800

220

700

200
600
180
500

160

400

140

300

120

200

100
0

0.5

1
1.5
2
Methyl Violate 10-6 M

2.5

Photocurrent (A) & Power (A)

Methyl Violate-EDTA-NaLS System

1000

Fig 3.4 VARIATION OF PHOTOPOTENTIAL, PHOTOCURRENT AND

POWER WITH METHYL VIOLATE CONCENTRATION

Methyl violet10-6

NaLS = 1.410-3

EDTA = 2.210-3 PH =12.6

1000

Light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 Temp. =303K

Methyl Violate EDTA -NaLS System

280

Photopotential
Power

Photopotential mV

800

260
240
220

700

200
600
180
500

160

400

140

300

120

200

100
11.6

11.8

12

12.2

12.4

12.6 12.8
13
13.2 13.4 13.6
PH
Fig 3.5 VARIATION OF PHOTOPOTENTIAL, PHOTOCURRENT AND POWER
WITH PH CONCENTRATION

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Phtocurrent (A) & Power (A)

Photocurrent

900

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 20

Volume 3 Issue 1, January 2015, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

photopotential (mA)
Fig.-6 CURRENT-VOLTAGE (I-V) CURVE OF THE CELL

140
120

Power (W)

100
80

t 1/2 = 90 min

60
40
20
0
0

20

40

60

Time (Min)
Fig.-7 PERFORMANCE OF THE CELL

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80

100

120

140