The Effects of Different Sealants on Titanium Dioxide Coated Solar Cells

Overview

Objectives/Goals My objective was to find out which sealant sealed a nanocrystalline dye sensitized solar cell the best. Methods/Materials I made eight solar cells from a solar cell kit with tin dioxide coated conductive glass, nitric acid, titanium dioxide powder, graphite, iodide electrolyte, and a blueberry juice solution. I sealed two of the solar cells with krazy glue, two with caulking, two with nail polish, and two control cells (no sealant). Using the same light source and volt meter for each test, I tested each solar cell for electrical output each week for 6 weeks. Each week I tested the electrical output of each solar cell three times and recorded the results in my log book. Results After six weeks, the solar cells sealed with krazy glue had the highest electrical output, next was caulking, then the control (no sealant), and nail polish did the worst. Conclusions/Discussion I think the krazy glue did better than the other solar cell sealants because it is strong, so if the cell tries to shift, it would prevent it from slipping and keep out the corrosive oxygen. I also think that since it was clear, it let more light in. Because the krazy glue went farther into the solar cell than the others, it prevented gaps or such on the sides of the cell. If I were to do this project again, I would lengthen the time period to see which sealant held up better over an even longer period of time.

Competition history

• CSEF 2011 Alternative Energy (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0220

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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