Cuprous Oxide Solar Cell - Revision history

Cmditradmin: /* Construction */

2012-04-04T19:05:55Z

Construction

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:05, 4 April 2012
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	'''Tissue paper electrolyte'''		'''Tissue paper electrolyte'''
	An even simpler alternative is to sandwich a single layer of facial tissue or toilet paper between the cuprous coated electrode and the unoxidized (shiny) copper electrode. Seal the cell on 3 sides with clear packing tape so that the two electrodes have one edge exposed. Then drip the 15% salt solution into the space between the electrodes. Attache alligator clips to the two electrodes. The tissue paper holds the electrolyte against the oxide layer and the shiny electrode.
			An even simpler alternative is to sandwich a single layer of facial tissue or toilet paper between the cuprous coated electrode and the unoxidized (shiny) copper electrode. Seal the cell on 3 sides with clear packing tape so that the two electrodes have one edge exposed. Then drip the 15% salt solution into the space between the electrodes. Attache alligator clips to the two electrodes. The tissue paper holds the electrolyte against the oxide layer and the shiny electrode and it virtually transparent thus letting light through.

	<br clear='all'>		<br clear='all'>

Cmditradmin: /* Materials */

2012-04-04T19:04:31Z

Materials

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:04, 4 April 2012
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	*Clear rigid plastic sheet (old cd case, or plastic lid from salad container.)		*Clear rigid plastic sheet (old cd case, or plastic lid from salad container.)
	*clear plastic packing tape		*clear plastic packing tape
	*clear gelatin		*clear gelatin or tissue paper
	*table salt		*table salt
	*volt meter		*volt meter

Cmditradmin at 19:03, 4 April 2012

2012-04-04T19:03:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 4 April 2012
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	'''The gelatin electrolyte'''		'''The gelatin electrolyte'''
	[[Image:Gelsheet.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|Gelatin electrolyte sheet on aluminum foil ]]		[[Image:Gelsheet.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|Gelatin electrolyte sheet on aluminum foil ]]
	*Make a small batch of electrolyte gelatin by mixing a packet of clear gelatin and 1/4 cup of water and a tablespoon of table salt.		*Make a small batch of electrolyte gelatin by mixing a packet of clear gelatin and 1/4 cup of water and a tablespoon of table salt, approximately a 15% salt solution.
	*Heat this pot on the stove or in a cup in the microwave until the solution is dissolved and clear.		*Heat this pot on the stove or in a cup in the microwave until the solution is dissolved and clear.
	*Pour the gelatin on to a sheet of smooth sheet of aluminum foil to create a layer about 1/8" and 1/4" thick. You can fold up the edges of the foil to make a tray.		*Pour the gelatin on to a sheet of smooth sheet of aluminum foil to create a layer about 1/8" and 1/4" thick. You can fold up the edges of the foil to make a tray.
	*After the gelatin sets you should be able to peel away a leathery sheet of the material and handle it delicately.		*After the gelatin sets you should be able to peel away a leathery sheet of the material and handle it delicately.

			'''Tissue paper electrolyte'''
			An even simpler alternative is to sandwich a single layer of facial tissue or toilet paper between the cuprous coated electrode and the unoxidized (shiny) copper electrode. Seal the cell on 3 sides with clear packing tape so that the two electrodes have one edge exposed. Then drip the 15% salt solution into the space between the electrodes. Attache alligator clips to the two electrodes. The tissue paper holds the electrolyte against the oxide layer and the shiny electrode.

	<br clear='all'>		<br clear='all'>
	'''Assembly'''		'''Assembly'''

Cmditradmin: /* Overview */

2012-02-04T01:11:07Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:11, 3 February 2012
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	and		and

	Cu		:<math>Cu_{(s)} + O_2 \rightarrow CuO_2 -.34 V\,\!</math>

Cmditradmin: /* Overview */

2012-01-31T19:01:33Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:01, 31 January 2012
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	Here are the half reactions		Here are the half reactions

	:<math>Cu^{2+} + e^- rightarrow Cu(s) .34 V\,\!</math>		:<math>Cu^{2+} + e^- \rightarrow Cu_{(s)} .34 V\,\!</math>

	and		and

			Cu

Cmditradmin at 18:58, 31 January 2012

2012-01-31T18:58:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:58, 31 January 2012
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	=== Overview ===		=== Overview ===
	[[Image:Cell.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|Finished copper solar cell ]]		[[Image:Cell.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|Finished copper solar cell ]]
			This simple demonstration cell is actually a solar enhanced battery, but it teaches about semiconductors, electrolytes and oxidation and reduction.

	When copper metal is oxidized it can take several oxidation states.		When copper metal is oxidized it can take several oxidation states.

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	: 4 Cu + O<sub>2</sub> → 2 Cu<sub>2</sub>O.		: 4 Cu + O<sub>2</sub> → 2 Cu<sub>2</sub>O.

	Cuprous oxide is a semiconductor. It has a bandgap between it ground state and its conduction band. Without light some electrons are able to jump the band and it acts as a battery. With light the cuprous oxide jumps to the conduction band and increased electricity flows. In this design the charge moves through a gelatin electroylte and to a non oxidized collection electrode. Using a gelatin electrolyte is less messy that a purely liquid electrolyte. A solid clear conductor is not great for this application because it can not make uniform contact with the copper surface.		Cuprous oxide is a semiconductor. It has a bandgap between it ground state and its conduction band. Without light some electrons are able to jump the band and it acts as a battery.
			Here are the half reactions

			:<math>Cu^{2+} + e^- rightarrow Cu(s) .34 V\,\!</math>

			and




			With light the cuprous oxide jumps to the conduction band and increased electricity flows. In this design the charge moves through a gelatin electroylte and to a non oxidized collection electrode. Using a gelatin electrolyte is less messy that a purely liquid electrolyte. A solid clear conductor is not great for this application because it can not make uniform contact with the copper surface.
	<br clear='all'>		<br clear='all'>

Cmditradmin: /* Links */

2012-01-27T23:01:57Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:01, 27 January 2012
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	[http://www.chem.umass.edu/~dv/pdf/CTY2008.pdf filter paper method]		[http://www.chem.umass.edu/~dv/pdf/CTY2008.pdf filter paper method]

			[http://ojs.jstem.org/index.php?journal=JSTEM&page=article&op=view&path[]=1454&path[]=1329 JSTEM Solar Cell and the Experimental Method]

Cmditradmin: /* Links */

2012-01-20T23:26:12Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:26, 20 January 2012
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	[http://mrl.upesh.edu.pk/Files/jpms3/SOMEMETHODOLOGIES.pdf Advance synthesis]		[http://mrl.upesh.edu.pk/Files/jpms3/SOMEMETHODOLOGIES.pdf Advance synthesis]

			[http://www.chem.umass.edu/~dv/pdf/CTY2008.pdf filter paper method]

Cmditradmin at 23:03, 20 January 2012

2012-01-20T23:03:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:03, 20 January 2012
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	[http://www.linux-host.org/energy/aflatcell.html Cuprous Oxide Foil Cell flat version]		[http://www.linux-host.org/energy/aflatcell.html Cuprous Oxide Foil Cell flat version]

			[http://mrl.upesh.edu.pk/Files/jpms3/SOMEMETHODOLOGIES.pdf Advance synthesis]

Cmditradmin: /* Links */

2012-01-19T23:59:55Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:59, 19 January 2012
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	=== Links ===		=== Links ===
			[http://www.linux-host.org/energy/asolcell.html Cuprous Oxide Cell in pop bottle]

			[http://www.linux-host.org/energy/aflatcell.html Cuprous Oxide Foil Cell flat version]