Student Work

Visible Light Responsive Photocatalytic Fuel Cell for Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Electricity Generation

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Photocatalytic fuel cells use light as a catalyst to degrade organic molecules in wastewater, while simultaneously producing electricity. The goal of this project was to increase the efficiency of the photoanode by optimizing the fabrication process of a bismuth-doped electrode through process changes such as, deposition method, layers of bismuth, photo-deposition of cobalt, and the ZnO nanotubes reaction time. The optimized fabrication process comprised of a 3-hour ZnO nanotubes reaction time, 6 layers of bismuth using the spin coating technique at 2000 RPM for 35 seconds, and then depositing cobalt. 6 layers of bismuth doping increased current density output by a factor of 11.3, form 0.129 mA/cm2 to 1.46 mA/cm2. Bismuth proved to be an effective doping chemical with a promising future.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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Identifier
  • E-project-043014-093335
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Year
  • 2014
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Date created
  • 2014-04-30
Location
  • Shanghai
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