Feasibility of a Microalgal Gratzel Cell

Tamara Michelle P. Dominado

Objectives

General Objectives
This study aims to extract natural dyes from three algal species, Tetraselmis spp., Nannochloropsis spp. and Chaetoceros calcitrans, and develop a working solar cell using the extracts as sensitizers.

Specific Objectives
The power output of the solar cells deposited with the algal extracts were measured and compared at different light intensities: Under direct sunlight (on a sunny day, about 1-2pm) Under artificial light with the use of 35W and 50W halogen lamps

Significance of the Study

Significance of the Study

Develop solar cells using practical methods that can operate efficiently Sensitizers to be used will be different More environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient

Scope and Limitations

Scope and Limitations

Algae were taken from UPV-NIMBB Oct 2011 Mar 2012

Extraction was done using acetone and centrifuge

TLC and UV-Vis (Spectronic21) for pigment identification Cells exposed to Direct sunlight, 35W and 50W halogen lamps

What is a Gratzel Cell?

What is a Gratzel Cell?

How does it work?

How does it work?

Works like plant leaves

How does it work?

Subsystem Gratzel Solar Cell Photosynthesis

Electron Acceptor

Nanoparticle TiO2

Carbon Dioxide

Electron Donor

Electrolyte

Water

Photon Absorber

Dye

Chlorophyll

How does it work?

Anode Reaction: Dye + energy Dye*
Dye* + TiO2 e-(TiO2) + Dye+

Cathode Reaction: e-(TiO2) + CE e-(CE) + TiO2

Dye+ + 3/2 I- Dye + I3e-(CE) + I3- 3/2 I- + CE

Why a Gratzel Cell?

Why a Gratzel Cell?

Does not require direct exposure to sunlight Able to operate at a high temperature

Easier and less expensive to make

Made with readily available non-toxic materials

What is a Sensitizer?

Sensitizer
Part of the solar cell which initiates the process of converting sunlight to energy Can be synthetic (Ruthenium) or natural (Chlorophyll, Anthocyanin)

Sensitizer
So far, the highest attained efficiency of solar cells produced in the lab using synthetic dyes has reached only up to 10% (Sokolsky and Cirak, 2010)

Ideal Properties
High broadband absorption and black in the UVA, visible and IR Electrons transfer must be rapid and energetically favorable Stable and capable of multiple redox cycles without decomposition

Where will they come from?

Algae
Plant-like photosynthetic organisms capable of utilizing solar energy Samples belong to groups Chlorophyta and Diatoms Nannochloropsis spp Chaetoceros calcitrans Tetraselmis spp

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll

Carotenoid

Methodology

Culture of Photosynthetic Organisms

Stock cultures will be obtained and culture in sterilized containers with medium enriched by nutrients and are aerated

Extraction of Photosynthetic Pigments

Cultures will be crushed and blended and will then be centrifuged

UV-Vis and TLC Analysis

Wiltshire et. al. (2000)

Preparation of Conductive Slides

A glass slide will be coated with Antimony-doped SnCl4 at 400C

Deposition of TiO2 Film

TiO2 will be deposited on the conductive glass slide at 450C for 30minutes using a hot plate

Carbon Coating of Slide

A conductive slide will be coated with light carbon film using a pencil lead
Gratzel and Smestad (1998) Ahmad Mohamed Ali and Nayan(2010)

Staining
Slides will be submerged in extracts and live samples and will be left in a dark room to allow reaction

Solar Cell Assembly

Binders will be used to hold the anode and cathode together and the electrolyte solution will then be added

Determination of Solar Output

The cell will be exposed to the light source for at least 2min before measuring the current using a multimeter
Gratzel and Smestad (1998) Ahmad Mohamed Ali and Nayan(2010)

Results and Discussion

Power Readings
Power (W) Species Direct Sunlight 4.418 A 4.757 A 4.047 A 18.057 B 50W 0.020 A 0.032 A 0.021 A 0.560 B 35W 0.009 A 0.006 A 0.010 A 0.047 B

Tetraselmis spp. Nannochloropsis spp. Chaetoceros calcitrans Carica papaya (std)

Efficiency
Species Tetraselmis spp. 50W 0.039 Efficiency (%) 35W 0.026

Nannochloropsis spp.
Chaetoceros calcitrans Carica papaya (std)

0.064
0.042 1.120

0.017
0.030 0.134

UV-Vis Analysis
Species Observed Absorbance Spectra (nm) 430, 660 416 Possible Corresponding Pigment

Tetraselmis spp Nannochloropsis spp.

Chlorophyll a and b Xanthophylls (Violaxanthin)

Chaetoceros calcitrans

431, 658-663

Chlorophyll a, b, and c

Carica papaya

429, 598, 661

Chlorophyll a, b, and c

TLC Analysis
Species Possible Pigment Chaetoceros calcitrans Chlorophyll a, b and c, Xanthophyll, -carotene, Lutein, Violaxanthin

Tetraselmis spp

Chlorophyll a, b, Xanthophyll, -carotene, Lutein

Nannochloropsis spp

Chlorophyll a, b and c, Xanthophyll, Violaxanthin, Lutein, Neoxanthin, Fucoxanthin

Carica papaya

Chlorophyll a, b and c, -carotene, Xanthophyll, Violaxanthin, Neoxanthin

Degradation
Direct Sunlight
8.00 7.00 6.00 Power (W) 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 0 1 2 3 Days 4 5 6 Tetraselmis spp Nannochloropsis spp Chaetoceros calcitrans

Degradation
50W
0.035
0.030 0.025 Power W) 0.020 Chaetoceros calcitrans Tetraselmis spp Nannochloropsis spp 0.005 0.000

0.015
0.010

3 Days

Degradation
35W
0.012 0.010 0.008 Power W) Chaetoceros calcitrans 0.006 Tetraselmis spp Nannochloropsis ssp.

0.004
0.002 0.000 0 1 2 3 Days 4 5 6

Self-Made Slides
Species Power (W) Direct Sunlight
Tetraselmis spp. Nannochloropsis spp. Chaetoceros calcitrans 0.003 0.008 0.016

Conclusion

Algae
IT WORKS! Although it did not come to par with previous studies that used terrestrial plant extracts, this study has proven that it is feasible to use algal pigments as dye for solar cells. Further studies must be conducted to enhance the performance and efficiency of the cells.

Recommendations

Recommendations
Degradation of the dye over time Use of new conductive slides instead of reusing overused ones to ensure even conductivity along the surface Attachment of the dye to the anatase Consider area of cell to power output of the slide

Recommendations
Other types of solvent to be used for pigment extraction Further identification of pigments present in the extracts by HPLC Use Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to further characterize the photosynthetic pigments

Recommendations
Use more accurate instruments (UV-Vis) Concentration of the pigment and how it affects power output and efficiency Measuring different parameters like pH, temperature and salinity that may affect the efficiency of the algal solar cells

:D

Thank you!

Power Output
Direct Sunlight
Power (W)

30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00

A A A 4.418 4.757 4.047

B 18.057

50W
0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 A A A 0.020 0.032 0.021

B 0.560 Power W)

35W
0.080 0.060 0.040 0.020 0.000 A A A 0.009 0.006 0.010 B 0.047

Power (W)

UV-Vis Analysis
Nanno
Absorbance 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05
350 450 550 650 750 Wavelength (nm)

Tetra
1.40 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00
350 450 550 650 750 Wavelength (nm) Absorbance

Chaeto
Absorbance 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 350 450 550 650 750 Wavelength (nm) 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 -0.01

Papaya

Absorbance

350 450 550 650 750 Wavelength (nm)