Experimental insight into the performance characteristics of Ni-mesh semiconductor photo-electrochemical cells

The performance characteristics of two photo-electrochemical cells with dif ferent cell configurations were investigated at 25 degrees C and within the illumination range of 70-100 W/m(2). These cells included a jacketed singl e cell (JSC) and a jacketed two-compartment cell (JTC). Ni-mesh was used as a counter electrode and as a backing material for semiconductor electrodes . Semiconductor electrodes were prepared by silk-screen painting technique using TiO2, WO3, PbO, Sb2S3, ZnO, Al2O3 or CuO powder mixed with Teflon. Th e electrolyte contained aqueous methylene blue (MB) and Fe (II)/Fe(III) com pounds. Voltage-current characteristics of the cells were measured at 25 de grees C. Energy conversion efficiencies were calculated. A best-performing cell was selected from each cell configuration. The effects of Ni-mesh, sem iconductor properties, and electrolyte modification on cell performance wer e studied. Experimental observations are compared with those in the literat ure, and the performance of each cell configuration is discussed. The best performance was obtained from Ni-TiO2-MB/MB, Fe(II)//MB, Fe(II)/Ni-C cell c onfiguration with 13% efficiency from JTC, Ni-PbO/MB, Fe(II)/Ni cell config uration with 24% effciency from JSC. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.