Electron. Mater. Lett., Vol. 11, No. 2 (2015), pp. 259-265
Thermo Photo-Electrochemical Effect in n-InP/Aqueous Solution of Orange
Dye/C Cell
Taimoor Ali,
1,
*
Khasan S. Karimov,
1,2,3
Khakim M. Akhmedov,
2
K. Kabutov,
3
and Amjad Farooq
1
1
GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, 23640, Pakistan
2
Center for Innovative Development of Science and New Technologies, Academy of Sciences, Rudaki Ave.33,
Dushanbe, 734025, Tajikistan
3
Physical Technical Institute of Academy of Sciences, Aini St.299/1, Dushanbe, 734063, Tajikistan
(received date: 10 June 2014 / accepted date: 1 November 2014 / published date: 10 March 2015)
1. INTRODUCTION
Energy conversion is a key factor of economy. Energy
demand can be fulfilled by utilizing the energy in efficient
way. Oil has been a primary energy resource for many
decades. World Energy Council (WEC) estimated that in
year 2020 the world energy demand would be raised up to
50 - 80% more than 1990 levels.
[1]
An efficient energy
system is based on a cost effective renewable and non-
polluting source of energy.
[2]
Due to the limitation of nuclear
resources and fossil fuels, novel renewable technologies that
are eco-friendly will lead to a long term energy resource.
[3]
Among these renewable energies, solar energy fulfills the
demand of energy more efficiently than other renewable
resources because total solar flux absorbed at the sea level by
the earth, i.e. ~1.2 × 10
17
W which can meet our present and
future energy requirements.
[4]
Energy harvesting from waste heat of power plants,
buildings and vehicles can effectively improve energy
efficiency.
[5-7]
Several thermoelectric
[8-11]
and thermo
electrochemical cell (TEC) have been studied and reported
which convert waste heat into electricity.
[12-16]
Solid state
junction devices made of silicon are expensive; therefore,
low cost solution processed power devices are more suitable
for power generation.
[17-20]
Recently, Pablo et al. have
investigated the design and optimization of TEC while
considering a flow cell thermocell design.
[21]
Similarly
photo-electrochemical cell (PEC) is solar based renewable
energy device which is eco-friendly and uncomplicated that
can be used at both small and larger scale as a potential
candidate in this regard.
[22]
The organic semiconductor energy devices are cost
effective, reliable and non-polluting devices. Organic semi-
conductor based electronic devices have developed a greater
interest and are being used over the last few decades.
[23]
A
number of organic semiconductor based electronic and
optoelectronic devices have been studied including sensors
[24]
The effect of light and heat is studied on the electrical properties of an
electrochemical n-InP/aqueous solution of orange dye/C cell. The cell is
investigated under the light and heat of filament bulb. The n-type indium
phosphide and carbon plates are used as electrodes. The aqueous solution of
organic material orange dye (C H N O ) in distilled water is served as electrolyte
at 1, 3 and 5 wt. % concentration. The cell is assembled in sealed organic glass box
with dimensions 35 × 13 × 14 mm. The open circuit voltage (V ) and short circuit
current (I ) of the cell are observed by illuminating and heating the samples. The
temperature is raised up to 60°C from 25°C when light intensity is increased from
dark condition to 425 W/m . It is observed that the relationship between light
intensity and temperature is approximately linear for all cases. The V and I
increase 100% and 300% respectively by increasing the light. The reported n-InP/
aqueous solution of orange dye/C cell can be considered as small converter of light
and heat into electric power.
Keywords: solution processed solar cell, orange dye, n type indium phosphide,
thermo-electrochemical, photo-electrochemical cell
DOI: 10.1007/s13391-014-4182-7
*Corresponding author: taimoor_ali29@live.com
©KIM and Springer