Search

The search for suitable materials as buffer layer in the development of photovoltaic cell necessitates the study. The objective is thus, to synthesize and characterize CdS nanofilm for photovoltaic cell application. Thin films of Cadmium Sulphide were deposited on degreased glass substrate, from a bath containing the precursors via Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) technique. The Physical, Structural, and optical properties were investigated by X-Ray diffractometer, Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), surface profilometer, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and spectrophotometer. The 9 hours CdS sample showed peak intensities at 30.95o and 51.77o with hkl values of (1 1 1) and (2 2 0). The 12 hours sample showed peak intensities at 30.95o and 51.55o with hkl values of (1 1 1) and (2 2 0). The planes of cubic phase correspond to the mineral Hawleyites for both samples. The average Crystallite grain size for the 9 hours sample is 27.72nm and 38.99nm for the 12 hours samples. The Scanning Electron microscopy analyses illustrate the morphology and the level of uniformity of the CdS coating across the surface of the 9 hours sample and 12 hours samples. The micrographs although slightly similar, the 12 hours sample appeared to be more uniformly coated when compared to the 9 hours sample. Electron-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) indicated the percentage composition of Cadmium and Sulphide present in the both 9 hours and 12 hours samples, with Cadmium having an average composition of 26.45% and sulphide 8.65% for the 9 hours sample, and 61.95% for Cadmium and 16.43% for Sulphide in the 12 hours CdS sample. The Spectrophotometer was used to investigate the behavior of both samples in the UV (≤ 400nm), Visible and part of the Infrared region. The bandgap energies of both 9 hours and 12 hours sample were 2.36eV and 2.257eV respectively. The average value for the optical conductivity for 9hours sample is 5.099 x 1013 and 7.75 x 1013 for 12 hours sample. The average values of the extinction coefficients, k for 9 hours sample is 1.07 x 109 and 2.02 x 109 for 12 hours sample. The average thickness value of CdS Sample deposited for 9 hours is 14.10 x10-9m while that of the CdS sample deposited for 12 hours is 14.5 x 10-9m. The results affirm the choice of CdS film as buffer layer of the photovoltaic cells.

The activation of carbon from Manihot Esculenta (cassava) peels as a sustainable biomass precursor was explored for application in supercapacitors (SCs); demonstrating a cheap and sustainable environmental friendly source of carbon materials for potential application as electrode materials for SC. The activation was carried out with three different activating agents namely potassium hydroxide (KOH), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) and potassium chloride in sodium thiosulphate (KCl–Na2S2O3). The obtained activated carbon (AC) material exhibited SSA up to 828 ​m2 ​g−1 for the KOH activation and the electrodes fabricated revealed a specific capacitance (CSP) (300 ​F ​g−1 at 0.5 ​A ​g−1), excellent rate capability and cycling stability (98% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles) in 6 ​M KOH aqueous solution. The study demonstrated an efficient and sustainable approach for high performance SCs by using biomass as a viable source of the carbon material for SC applications.

The optimum working temperature range of deep cycled lead acid solar battery was studied. A 4- different model of deep cycled Lead acid battery of 12V, 100amp-hr was used along 250 Watts mono crystalline silicon solar panel. A digital multimeter, charge controller, 250 Watts incandescent bulb (load), inverter and a digital thermometer were employed in the study. The experimental set-up was done in the environ of University of Port-Harcourt (Latitude 4055’58’’N and Longitude 6059’55’’East), Rivers State, Nigeria (tropical climate region). The measured voltage and temperature during charging and discharging processes consequently determine the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery. Through this, the optimum working temperature range of the considered Lead Acid battery falls within 29OC and 37OC.

The optimum working temperature range of deep cycled lead acid solar battery was studied. A 4- different model of deep cycledLead acid battery of 12V, 100amp-hr was used along 250 Watts mono crystalline silicon solar panel. A digital multimeter, chargecontroller, 250 Watts incandescent bulb (load), inverter and a digital thermometer were employed in the study. The experimentalset-up was done in the environ of University of Port-Harcourt (Latitude 40 55’58’’N and Longitude 60 59’55’’East), Rivers State,Nigeria (tropical climate region). The measured voltage and temperature during charging and discharging processes consequently determine the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery. Through this, the optimum working temperature range of the considered Lead Acid battery falls within 29OC and 37OC.