Fabrication and Characterization of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Bixa orellana Seeds and Basella alba Leaves
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have cheaper and easier means of fabrication compared to the currently used solar cells, which are mostly silicon-based, so DSSCs are developed for a prospect of solar energy accounting for a higher percentage in the world’s total energy production, which is currently 0.1%. However, compared to their inorganic counterparts, their efficiencies are low, and the search for a dye that will maximize the potential of DSSCs is still ongoing. The aim of this study is to be able to evaluate the absorption range in the solar spectrum of dyes extracted from Basella alba leaves and Bixin orellana seeds, and of dyes resulting from the mixture of both extracts, using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, with the objective of increasing the absorption; to be able to fabricate functional DSSCs from the individual and mixed dyes; and to be able to evaluate the different conversion efficiencies of the DSSCs of the individual and mixed dyes using Linear Sweep Voltammetry, with the aim of increasing the conversion efficiency due to a wider absorption range. B. alba leaves and B. orellana seeds were extracted using soxhlet extraction. The clean extracts were mixed in different proportions, and were characterized using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. The two individual dyes together with two proportions of the mixed B. alba:B. orellana dyes, 1:1 and 2:1, were then incorporated into DSSCs. In the fabrication of DSSCs, twelve plates of Fluorine doped tin oxide were coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) using spray pyrolysis. They were sintered and scraped, and were afterwards immersed in the four dyes for four days. Platinum plates were placed on top, and iodine-triiodide couple electrolyte was introduced via capillary action. The sealed DSSCs were subjected to Linear Sweep Voltammetry under dark and illuminated conditions, using a sun simulator. Results from the UV-Vis spectrophotometry showed that mixing the dyes had increased the absorption range of the individual dyes, although not superpositionally, and that the 2:1 mixed dye has the most potential. Being incorporated into DSSCs, the dyes, including the mixed ones, have successfully converted solar energy into electrical energy, as shown by the significance in conversion efficiencies under dark and illuminated conditions. However, despite the increase in the absorption range, neither of the mixed dyes have shown a higher conversion efficiency than the individual ones, which can be accounted for a possible weaker interaction between the two dyes and the TiO2, resulting to lower efficiencies. The study has been able to obtain and characterize dyes from B. orellana seeds and B. alba leaves and has been able to incorporate the dyes into DSSCs. With the wider absorption range of the mixed dyes, the study has been able to confirm the possibility of the dyes to maximize the potential of DSSCs, as shown by the successful conversion of solar energy into electrical energy of all fabricated DSSCs, including those of mixed dyes. If the possible problem with the dye-dye as well as the dye-TiO2 interactions could be solved, the possibility of much higher conversion efficiencies could be expected.
Carbon Nanostructures Via Dry Fce Exposed to High Temperature
This science project is designed to answer a question of whether or not a chemical reaction is needed to produce industrial quantities of carbon nanostructures by exposing dry ice to a high temperature that is at least 3100°C. A small carbon arc furnace powered by an electric welder is used to produce the high temperature. During control runs, the carbon arc furnace is energized for a predetermined time, after which the carbon arc furnace is de-energized and any carbon particles within the furnace are collected. During carbon nanostructures synthesis runs, dry ice is placed within the carbon arc furnace. The carbon arc furnace is energized and the dry ice is consumed for the predetermined time. Carbon nanostructures synthesized during the synthesis runs are collected once the carbon arc furnace is de-energized and allowed to cool. The volume of the carbon particles collected during the control runs is compared to the volume of the carbon nanostructures produced by the synthesis runs. This science project has discovered that on average at least 16 times more carbon nanostructures are produced during synthesis runs consuming dry ice as opposed to the control runs. Moreover, the synthesis runs did not rely on chemical reactions. Further still, samples of the synthesized carbon nanostructures were imaged using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The TEM images clearly show high-quality carbon nanostructures that include carbon nanotubes, faceted carbon nanospheres, and the super-material graphene.
Chitosan Defies Death
Gangrene is the death of tissue of certain parts of the body. In Indonesia, people who suffer from Diabetes will also often suffer from Gangrene, which usually affects a patient’s feet. The medication for it is not affordable for everybody. I have chosen the Horseshoe Crab, simply because it’s known widely in Indonesian and can be found easily. Also, due to the fact that, among all crustaceans, the Horseshoe Crab contains the highest levels of Chitin. By using the Chitin found in the shell of the Horseshoe Crab, I shall endeavor to heal the Gangrene of Diabetic Patients.