Invertis Journals of Renewable Energy

N. W. P. S. Perera ¹, C. A. N. Fernando ¹, S. A. Ariadurai ²

Affiliations
1 Nano-Technology Research Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, LK
2 Department of Textile & Apparel Technology, Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, LK

Abstract

Coir is a natural vegetable fibre obtained from the coconut tree. In this research, alkaline-bio scoured bristle coir fibre powder was subjected to alkaline activation by using Potassium Hydroxide (0.1 M). The coir carbon powder was fed into a tube furnace with a constant heating rate of 20°C min^–1 until the temperature reached a range of temperatures between 380°C to 450°C. At a selected temperature between 380°C to 450°C the samples were kept inside the tube furnace for 15 min in a nitrogen flow. Subsequently they were cooled to room temperature and the iodine number was determined. The copper plate was fabricated by using a thin film of Cu₂O which is formed by boiling (5₂10^–3M) solution of copper sulphate. After that Cu/Cu₂O/AC/ITO solid state photovoltaic cell was made with coir AC as the upper electrode. Formed junction at n-Cu₂O/AC interface is believed to be supported toseparatephoto generated charge carriers, in the solid state photovoltaic device. Absorption spectra, XRD measurements, SEM micrographs and photocurrent action spectra were presented in this study.

Keywords

Coir, Activated Carbon, Thin Film Solar Cell.

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P. G. D. C. K. Karunarathna ¹, C. A. N. Fernando ¹

Affiliations
1 Nano-Technology Research Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, LK

Abstract

p-CuSCN was sensitized with quantum dots (QDs) of Cu₂O for the first time to make photoelectrochemical cells. Cu₂O QDs were prepared on Cu/p-CuSCN photoelectrode by boiling Cu/p-CuSCN in a 1 M CuSO₄ solution. Boiling time controlled the size of the quantum dots. It was found that the boiling time below 20 min, QDs of Cu₂O can be fabricated on p-CuSCN and for longer period of boiling above 20 min Cu₂O micro crystals were fabricated on p-CuSCN forming a p-CuSCN/n-Cu₂O junction photoelectrode. Higher photocurrents were shown from the QD sensitized photoelectrochemical cells with compared to that of the Cu/p-CuSCN/n-Cu₂O junction photoelectrochemical cells. Photocurrent measurements, diffuse reflectance spectra and SEM michrographs were presented to explain the mechanism of photocurrent enhancement for the p-CuSCN sensitized QDs of Cu₂O.

Keywords

p-CuSCN, n-Cu₂O, Quanum Dots.

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