Are you looking for how to make solar cells? You are at the right place. In this blog post, we have mentioned the steps. Let’s take a look at them:
- Clean the surfaces of two glass plates with ethanol. Be careful not to touch them again after washing, or you’ll leave fingerprints and smudges that will interfere with your experiment.
- It is the time to put your detective hat on! Your job is simple: determine which conductive surface of the two plates has a better ability to transfer electricity. It sounds like it should be very easy, but there are some nuances you’ll need to keep an eye out for a while conducting this experiment.
- After step 2, apply transparent tape to hold the glass plates together. The long side of the outer plate should be facing up, and 1mm-2mm overlaps from one edge on each piece of glass to cover it securely.
- Apply drops of titanium dioxide evenly to the surface of each glass plate and spread it out until you have a thin layer. Allow this solution to cover up the conductive adhesive that is facing down on top, then place one more sheet over it, so they are both in contact with each other.
- When you are done withapplying titanium dioxide, remove the tapes which hold the plates together.
- Apply drops of titanium dioxide evenly to the surface of each glass plate and spread it out until you have a thin layer. Allow this solution to cover up the conductive adhesive that is facing down on top, then place one more sheet over it, so they are both in contact with each other.
- Get a shallow dish and then fill it with a dye that’s made from blackberry, raspberry, or pomegranate juice. Soak the titanium dioxide-coated plate for at least 10 minutes on its face-down side.
- Clean the other plate with some ethanol while the titanium dioxide plate is soaking in a dye. Test its conductivity after cleaning, and remember to mark which side doesn’t work as positive. Apply graphite lubricant of graphite pencil over this surface, then cover it completely so that there are no gaps or holes for voltage leaks to escape out from underneath!
- The titanium dioxide coating on the plate should be removed with gentle rinsing to avoid scratching. First, rinse in deionized water, than ethanol followed by a wipe-down of excess alcohol using a clean tissue.
- Assemble the two plates together such that their coatings touch and overlap. Place a binder clip on each side in order to secure them in place while you start creating your circuit design using conductive ink or tape.
- To make sure your solar cells work efficiently and the process is not interrupted by sunlight or raindrops, be sure to apply a solution of iodide onto both plates. Allow it time for each plate to soak up all of this liquid before you put them out into direct light again!
- Create an alligator clip to attach the coated surface of either side of a cell. One in graphite, which will serve as your positive electrode, and one connected to titanium dioxide, which is what you’ll use for your negative electrode. Connect wires, then place this apparatus near the light so that it falls on the solar cells plate; now it’s ready! You can test the amount of voltage, and current produced by using a multimeter. The output is not quite enough to charge your phone, but you might be able to make this work with multiple cells attached!