Solar energy conversion and storage: Fast Green FCF-Fructose photogalvanic cell

Photogalvanic cells are photoelectrochemical devices involving ions as mobile charges moving in solution through diffusion process. These cells are capable of solar power generation at low cost with inherent storage capacity. This property of photogalvanic cell needs to be exploited as this technology is cleaner and promising for application in daily life. Therefore, a photogalvanic cell consisting of Fast Green FCF as photosensitizer, Fructose as reductant and NaOH as alkaline medium has been studied with observed value of maximum potential 1083 mV, maximum photocurrent 431 mu A, short-circuit current 380 mu A, power at power point 138.60 mu W, efficiency 1.33%, and storage capacity (as half change time) 70 min. The observed results are higher and encouraging enough for ultimate aim of development of applicable and affordable photogalvanic cells in future. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.