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Making A Solar Cell

Solar Cell Work

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55 views5 pages

Making A Solar Cell

Solar Cell Work

Uploaded by

degregorioj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Making a Solar Cell

A solar cell is a light sensitive material that can collect solar energy and convert it into electrical and chemical
energy. In this lab you will create a solar cell that uses the process called “artificial photosynthesis.”

A solar cell works similarly to a leaf on a plant. The chlorophyll dye (chlorophyll a) in a leaf absorbs solar
energy and converts it into chemical energy (sugar) whereas a solar cell takes solar energy and converts it into
electrical energy.

Blackberries contain a strongly light absorbing dye molecule called anthocyanin, which occurs in many type of
fruits and berries (and in leaves in the fall). It’s the compound that gives blackberries, raspberries, blueberries
and pomegranates their color. These dyes can be extracted and used in dye-sensitized TiO 2 solar cell to
absorb light and then convert the light into electrical energy.

Brian O’Regan and Michael Grätzel invented the dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cell (sometimes referred to as the
Grätzel cell). This approach has many advantages over other solar energy conversion technologies because of
its simple device construction and inexpensive TiO2 particles and dyes that can be fine-tuned to increase their
light absorbing properties. Although there is still much room for improvement, this state-of-the-art device
converts solar energy into electricity with efficiencies over 10%.

Video instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17SsOKEN5dE


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Preparing the TiO2 Electrode
1. Preheat your hotplate by turning it to about 250˚C.
2. Begin by obtaining two pieces of conducting glass. One will be your anode with the TiO 2 film
and dye (which is the one you are making now) and the other the cathode (which you are
making later).
3. Switch the multimeter to the resistance setting (Ω) and test ONE piece of glass for conductivity.
Only one side is conductive and this is the side you must use for the TiO2 film and dye.
4. Prepare the conducting side by wetting a Kimwipe with isopropyl alcohol and wiping the piece
of glass (like cleaning a window).
5. Using Scotch tape, on 3-sides use two pieces of tape to create a border (you are essentially
taping the glass down). Use one piece of tape on the 4th side. Smooth and press the tape by
pushing and dragging your nail across the surface.

Conductive glass with tape border.


Number of pieces of tape are shown.

Making the TiO2 Paste


6. Measure out approximately 0.5 – 1.0 g of TiO2 powder on the balance and add to a small
beaker.
7. Add dilute acetic acid drop-wise, mixing with a wooden splint after every 3-4 drops, until you
obtain a smooth consistency (like latex paint- if it is a toothpaste-like consistency is too thick).
8. Stir mixture thoroughly with the wooden splint for approximately 3-4 minutes.

Applying & Drying the film


9. Using a wooden splint, apply 2-3 drops of the TiO2 paste to the top border of the square of
conducting glass. Using a straight edge of the wooden splint, quickly sweep the TiO2 paste
from top to bottom, coating the glass square. If the film does not stick, just sweep upwards
and back down again. Make sure you wash the ruler after
10. Wait approximately two minutes for the film to dry. Carefully remove the Scotch tape border,
paying attention to not splatter any of the wet paste.
11. Gently place the piece of glass on top of your preheated hotplate. Keep it there for 20
minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat so the film can gradually cool.
12. Place the glass with the film into a clean weigh dish with your names on it and put it under the
fume hood until day 2.

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Preparing the dye
13. Measure about 0.4grams of dried hibiscus flowers. Set aside.
14. In a clean beaker, add about 20mL of water and heat on a hotplate until boiling. Remove the
beaker from the hotplate and pour in the flowers. Allow the flowers to steep in the hot water
for about 15 minutes (you are making tea).
15. Pour the colorful water into a weighing dish, and throw out the soggy flowers.
16. Get your piece of glass (your anode) and place it white side down in the dish with the dye.
Keep it there for 10 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the counter electrode (see below).
17. After 10 minutes, gently rinse the dye from the glass using water (use a pipette to do this)
followed by isopropyl alcohol (this is essential).
18. Gently blot the electrode dry using a Kimwipe.

Preparing the Counter electrode


19. Using a pencil, “color in” the conductive side of the second piece of glass. (Make sure you find
the conductive side first by using the multimeter.) It will take on a slight gray color. The
graphite will function as a catalyst for the redox electrolyte. (Quick definition break:
An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions in solution and acquires the capacity to
conduct electricity).

Assembling the cell


20. Place the TiO2/dye electrode face up (so dye side up) on the lab bench. Place the counter
electrode on top of it, offsetting it so that the film is still covered by the counter electrode, but
there is about ⅛” of the glass exposed for connections on both electrodes.

21. Clamp the two electrodes together using two binder clips. They should be placed on the sides
adjacent to the electrodes.
22. Add the electrolyte by placing 1 drop of the electrolyte solution on one edge of the electrode
sandwich (like where the alligator clips are in the picture). Slowly open and close the binder
clips, one at a time, until the brown electrolyte solution is drawn into the sandwich, making the
TiO2 film look wet.
23. You now have a working solar (photovoltaic) cell!

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Testing the Cell
23. To test the solar cell, clip the positive terminus (red) of the multimeter probe to the graphite
electrode and the negative terminus (black) to the TiO2 electrode.
24. Measure the voltage (V) and current (mA) obtained in room light, outside light, direct flashlight
from a phone, and a UV light. Record all data into the data table.

Cleanup
 Disassemble your solar cell, wash it with soap and water and return it to me.

Data Table:

Type of Light Weather Voltage Current Convert mA to A Power Calculation


Conditions (V) (mA) *Show Work* power = amps * volts
*Show Work*

Room Light

Outside Light

Flashlight
(from phone)

UV Light

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Pictures:
 Picture #1 = your finished solar cell

 Picture #2 = solar cell with the multimeter reading under Room Light

Questions:
1) A leaf and a solar cell both convert solar energy into another type of energy. What type does a solar
cell make and what type does a leaf make?

2) Which light did your solar cell work best in? How much power was produced at its best?

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