Photocatalytic Reaction of Sensitizer, Rose Bengal and Supersensitizer, Thiourea

감응제 Rose Bengal과 초감응제 Thiourea의 광촉매 반응

The enhancement of the solar energy conversion efficiency into the electrical energy by the dye sensitization with a photoelectrochemical cell was studied. The magnitude of the rose bengal sensitized photocurrent containing the supersensitizer, thiourea was five times greater than that in the absence of thiourea. It was observed, however, that the long time span of irradiation causes the decrease in the photocurrent. Spectroscopic analysis of the dye solution showed that the dye molecule was photobleached and the insoluble aggregate which settles down in the solution, was formed as a result of the possible photocatalytic reaction and the disappearance of dye from the solution was the cause of the decreased photocurrent in the sensitization run.

광전기화학쎌을 사용하여 염료 감응법으로 태양에너지의 전기적 에너지 전환효율을 극대화하고자 하였다. 초감응제 thiourea를 포함하는 rose bengal 감응 광전류의 크기는 thiourea가 존재할 경우 5배 이상이었으나 장시간에 걸친 광조사는 전류를 감소시켰다. 광조사 전후 염료 용액의 변화를 분광학적으로 조사한 결과 광촉매작용에 의하여 용액 중에서 염료가 광표백되고 불용성의 침전이 형성되어 그 결과 용액으로부터 염료가 사라져 광전류가 감소하는 것을 확인하게 되었다.