Efficient dye-sensitized solar cell fabricated using a less toxic alternative to electrolyte and charge collector.

The photovoltaic investigation of novel and efficient dye-sensitized solar cells is discussed in this paper. Ruthenium-based synthetic dye (N3) is used as a sensitizer. A less toxic alternative is suggested for toxic indium-based glass substrates by using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as charge collectors. Moreover, the electrolyte used is a mixture of polymer (polyaniline) and an iodide-triiodide couple to go for the approach involving a lower amount of iodine. In the paper study, on the extent of light, absorption of dye is done by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The morphological study of sheets is done using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images to understand the binding of titania on photoanode. Photovoltaic characteristics (I-V) and induced photon to current efficiency (IPCE) measurements, and light harvesting efficiency (LHE) are also investigated. The highest power conversion efficiency of 6.18% is observed in the suggested fabricated green solar cell. Hence, more efficient, indium-free, and novel cell is fabricated by the usage of different charge collector substrates and quasi solid-state electrolytes.

Selective extraction, preconcentration and transport studies of thorium(IV) using octa-functionalized calix[4]resorcinarene-hydroxamic acid.

A new calix[4]resorcinarene bearing eight hydroxamic acid groups (C4RAHA) has been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. Its analytical properties were investigated, and showed high affinity and selectivity toward thorium(IV) in the presence of large quantities of associated metal ions. Thorium(IV) was extracted from an ethyl acetate solution of C4RAHA at pH 4.5. The lambdamax and molar absorptivity (epsilon) for thorium(IV) were 341 nm and 7120 l mol(-1) cm(-1). The complexation of thorium(IV) with C4RAHA has a 4:1 metal:ligand stoichiometry, which is relatively rare. The extracts were directly aspirated in the plasma for ICP-AES measurements for thorium(IV) in the presence of a diversified matrix. The system obeyed Beer's law over the range 0.1 - 6.5 microg ml(-1) of thorium(IV) with a Sandell sensitivity of 0.0325 microg cm(-2). The preconcentration factor and overall stability constant evaluated at 25 degrees C for thorium(IV) were 133 and 15.86, respectively. The complexation was characterized by a favorable enthalpy change. A liquid-membrane transport study of thorium(IV) was carried out from the source to the receiving phase under controlled conditions, and a mechanism of transport proposed. To check the validity of the proposed method, thorium(IV) was determined in monazite sand, rare earth sand and water samples.

Molecular octopus: octa functionalized calix[4]resorcinarene-hydroxamic acid [C4RAHA] for selective extraction, separation and preconcentration of U(VI).

A solvent extraction separation of uranium, in the presence of thorium, cerium and lanthanides with a new calix[4]resorcinarene bearing eight hydroxamic acid groups (C4RAHA) is described. Quantitative extraction of uranium is possible in ethyl acetate solution of C4RAHA at pH 8.0. The lambda(max) and molar absorptivity (varepsilon) for uranium is 356nm and 8352Lmol(-1)cm(-1). The Binding ratio of uranium with C4RAHA as evaluated by Job's method is 4:1. The system obeys Beer's law over the range 0.075-6.0mugml(-1) of uranium with Sandell sensitivity 0.0284mugcm(-2). A preconcentration factor of 142 was achieved by directly aspirating the extract for GF-AAS measurements. The two-phase stability constant evaluated at 25 degrees C for uranium is 15.91. The complexation is characterized by favorable enthalpy and entropy changes. A liquid membrane transport study of uranium was carried out from source to the receiving phase under controlled conditions and a mechanism of transport is proposed. Uranium has been determined in standard and environmental samples.