A practical photoelectrochemical cell using non precious metal electrodes

In this study a Photoelectrochemical Cell (PEC) constructed with inexpensive materials photodegraded selected organic compounds present in model waste waters, with the concomitant production of electrical current. Organic substrates dissolved in salt water included formic acid, 2-propanol, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene and ascorbic acid. Significant degradation of ascorbic acid was achieved when the cell was illuminated with a household 60 W tungsten light bulb, although better results were achieved with UV sources. Degradation of all the compounds was found to occur by zero order kinetics, and the PEC was shown not to work appreciably in dark conditions. Using a conventional light bulb, a formic acid PEC produced a power density of 19.1 ± 2 mW m^-2. When exposed to natural daylight, a power density of 31.5 ± 2 mW m ^-2 was achieved. There is considerable scope for scale up of this device for exterior use.