Claudia Bohrmann-Linde^1,, Diana Zeller¹

Alternative solar cells on the basis of titanium dioxide are subject of intense research. For the integration of this topic into the chemistry curriculum a set of experiments with photogalvanic cells has been developed. Titania phototelectrodes need to be irradiated with UV light, but the spectrum of solar light contains only little UV radiation. Thus photosensitizers are needed that harvest visible light. Here we present a series of experiments with different dye solutions that can serve as an alternative to the priorly used anthocyanins in the chemistry classroom. The dyes presented are more stable and also work as sensitizers in titania-based photogalvanic cells.

titanium dioxide, titania, photogalvanic cells, photosensitization, light, natural dyes, semiconductor, solar cells, hands-on chemistry-lab, sustainable development education