1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
[O08-P84] Enhancing the solar panel efficiency through the use of seaweed pigments
1. Background and Objectives
In this experiment, I aimed to enhance the efficiency of perovskite solar panels using a pigment called phycobilin found in seaweed. The motivation for this experiment stemmed from the observation that seaweeds thrive in dark waters, indicating that efficient photosynthesis is conducted by the pigments they contain. Through research, I discovered that seaweeds contain a pigment called phycobilin, which strongly absorbs blue light. I hypothesized that leveraging this pigment in solar panels could increase their efficiency. In this study, to confirm these hypotheses, I conducted the following two experiments: A) extraction and separation of seaweed pigments and B) application of seaweed pigments to solar panels.
A) Extraction and Separation of Seaweed Pigments
2-A. Experimental Method
For this experiment, I collected samples of seaweed, specifically Ulva pertusa, from the sea. After drying the Ulva pertusa to remove moisture, I immersed it in diethyl ether and crushed it with a mortar and pestle to extract the pigments. Since I aimed to isolate only phycobilin from the pigment sample, I separated the components using silica gel column chromatography. I used a mixture of hexane and acetone as the developing solvent. The separated pigment solutions were analyzed using a spectrophotometer to determine which colors of sunlight they absorbed, classifying them based on the absorption spectra bands.
3-A. Results
Through silica gel column chromatography, I successfully separated the pigment, obtaining a solution close to phycobilin, which strongly absorbs blue and green light, from the Ulva pertusa.
4-A. Discussion
During the experiment, I encountered difficulties in pigment separation until successfully dehydrated the Ulva pertusa. This difficulty was likely due to pigment dissolution in water, hindering effective separation on the silica gel.
B) Application of Seaweed Pigments to Solar Panels
2-B. Experimental Method
I applied the phycobilin extracted in part A to solar panels and compared the efficiency of these panels with those without phycobilin. I utilized perovskite solar panels, fabricated by depositing electrolytes onto an electron substrate. The fabrication process for perovskite solar panels was referenced from source 2. After completing the solar panels, I investigated the differences in their efficiency under three conditions: 1) sunny outdoor, 2) cloudy outdoor, and 3) indoor (LED light). To evaluate only the effects of the light intensity, I maintained consistent conditions of temperature, humidity, and solar panel size across all scenarios.
3-B. Results
In all three cases, solar panels containing phycobilin exhibited higher efficiency (~20–40%) compared to panels without it. Particularly on sunny days, the phycobilin-coated panels achieved 140% higher efficiency, showing a significant difference in efficiency. However, the high efficiency was not maintained and decreased within 10 minutes.
4-B. Discussion
The significant difference in efficiency on sunny days can be attributed to the diffusion of light by the atmosphere, making blue light more accessible, which aligns with phycobilin's high absorbance of blue light.
5. Summary
In this experiment, I extracted pigments from Ulva pertusa, isolated phycobilin, and applied it to solar panels. The phycobilin-coated solar panels demonstrated 20% to 40% higher efficiency under various conditions compared to panels without it. However, mixing foreign substances like phycobilin into the electrolyte reduced durability, leading to a drastic efficiency decrease within 10 minutes. While this experiment focused solely on efficiency, future experiments will aim to enhance durability.
6. References
For pigment identification and perovskite solar panel fabrication, I referred to the following sources:
Reference 1: Website on pigments and absorption spectra by the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Toho University.
Reference 2: Wakasa, S. (2010). "Let's Make Homemade Solar Cells: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells". Power Company, 67p.
I also received significant assistance from Professor Tsutomu Miyasaka, the developer of perovskite solar panels at Toin University of Yokohama, during the experiment.
In this experiment, I aimed to enhance the efficiency of perovskite solar panels using a pigment called phycobilin found in seaweed. The motivation for this experiment stemmed from the observation that seaweeds thrive in dark waters, indicating that efficient photosynthesis is conducted by the pigments they contain. Through research, I discovered that seaweeds contain a pigment called phycobilin, which strongly absorbs blue light. I hypothesized that leveraging this pigment in solar panels could increase their efficiency. In this study, to confirm these hypotheses, I conducted the following two experiments: A) extraction and separation of seaweed pigments and B) application of seaweed pigments to solar panels.
A) Extraction and Separation of Seaweed Pigments
2-A. Experimental Method
For this experiment, I collected samples of seaweed, specifically Ulva pertusa, from the sea. After drying the Ulva pertusa to remove moisture, I immersed it in diethyl ether and crushed it with a mortar and pestle to extract the pigments. Since I aimed to isolate only phycobilin from the pigment sample, I separated the components using silica gel column chromatography. I used a mixture of hexane and acetone as the developing solvent. The separated pigment solutions were analyzed using a spectrophotometer to determine which colors of sunlight they absorbed, classifying them based on the absorption spectra bands.
3-A. Results
Through silica gel column chromatography, I successfully separated the pigment, obtaining a solution close to phycobilin, which strongly absorbs blue and green light, from the Ulva pertusa.
4-A. Discussion
During the experiment, I encountered difficulties in pigment separation until successfully dehydrated the Ulva pertusa. This difficulty was likely due to pigment dissolution in water, hindering effective separation on the silica gel.
B) Application of Seaweed Pigments to Solar Panels
2-B. Experimental Method
I applied the phycobilin extracted in part A to solar panels and compared the efficiency of these panels with those without phycobilin. I utilized perovskite solar panels, fabricated by depositing electrolytes onto an electron substrate. The fabrication process for perovskite solar panels was referenced from source 2. After completing the solar panels, I investigated the differences in their efficiency under three conditions: 1) sunny outdoor, 2) cloudy outdoor, and 3) indoor (LED light). To evaluate only the effects of the light intensity, I maintained consistent conditions of temperature, humidity, and solar panel size across all scenarios.
3-B. Results
In all three cases, solar panels containing phycobilin exhibited higher efficiency (~20–40%) compared to panels without it. Particularly on sunny days, the phycobilin-coated panels achieved 140% higher efficiency, showing a significant difference in efficiency. However, the high efficiency was not maintained and decreased within 10 minutes.
4-B. Discussion
The significant difference in efficiency on sunny days can be attributed to the diffusion of light by the atmosphere, making blue light more accessible, which aligns with phycobilin's high absorbance of blue light.
5. Summary
In this experiment, I extracted pigments from Ulva pertusa, isolated phycobilin, and applied it to solar panels. The phycobilin-coated solar panels demonstrated 20% to 40% higher efficiency under various conditions compared to panels without it. However, mixing foreign substances like phycobilin into the electrolyte reduced durability, leading to a drastic efficiency decrease within 10 minutes. While this experiment focused solely on efficiency, future experiments will aim to enhance durability.
6. References
For pigment identification and perovskite solar panel fabrication, I referred to the following sources:
Reference 1: Website on pigments and absorption spectra by the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Toho University.
Reference 2: Wakasa, S. (2010). "Let's Make Homemade Solar Cells: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells". Power Company, 67p.
I also received significant assistance from Professor Tsutomu Miyasaka, the developer of perovskite solar panels at Toin University of Yokohama, during the experiment.