The Effect of Titanium Dioxide on Photovoltaic Cells

Overview

Objectives/Goals This experiment tests the effect of varying concentrations of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells. Though this chemical has shown to improve the efficiency of dye-based solar cells, it hasn#t been tested in the context of photovoltaic cells. Three variables will be tested: coating thickness, different types of light, and angle of light. Methods/Materials Six PV cells, solid TiO2, distilled water, and various light sources were used. Five concentrations of TiO2 were mixed; after initial measurements of output, cells were painted with different concentrations. They were then tested under different light sources and with varying angles. After washing off the cells, the output was again recorded under the different light sources. Three tests will be done to reduce variability, and data will be standardized by control values. Results TiO2 significantly boosted cell output across the light sources, posting increases as high as 39% in sunlight and 25% in UV; thus, efficiency was improved over the majority of usable light. While an optimal concentration was indeterminate, on the whole, higher concentrations of TiO2 led to better output; 1 mg/mL seemed to have the most consistent results, though. However, the data collected did not display any clear relationship between TiO2 and output at different angles, so that effect is indeterminate. Conclusions/Discussion Titanium dioxide clearly had a beneficial effect on photovoltaic cell output; at the same time, though, a few additional experiments need to be conducted for larger success. First, more testing should be done to determine TiO2#s effect on different angles. Additionally, an optimum concentration should be determined through more detailed testing. Finally, long-term tests should be done of output to determine whether TiO2 has a corrosive effect. Through these additional tests, hopefully, TiO2 can be used on a larger scale; these experiments clearly demonstrate that it could have enormous implications for photovoltaic cells.

Competition history

• CSEF 2012 Physics & Astronomy · Entry S1815

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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