Storage solar cell consisting of phenosafranin-EDTA in surfactant solution

Abstract A new photoelectrochemical cell consisting of phenosafranin, a cationic phenazine dye, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in surfactant solution, separated from a saturated aqueous solution of iodine by a Pyrex sintered glass membrane, has been developed. The different surfactants used were cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB; cationic), sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS; anionic) and Triton X-100 (neutral). The results show that the electrical performance of the cell is decreased in SLS, increased slightly in Triton X-100 and increased appreciably in CTAB compared with the cell without surfactant. The possible mechanisms of the cell in the various surfactants are discussed.