The Path to Better Solar Cells: Column Chromatography
University
Shawnee State University
Major
General Chemistry
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Presentation Types
Oral Presentation (Live)
Keywords:
Column Chromatography, Solar Cells, Reagent Synthesis, Component Analysis
Abstract
Solar energy provides a fundamental basis for advancing clean, green energy. However, its current developmental process requires extensive research to be competitive for the race for clean energy. By incorporating a metal complex into an experimental solar cell, the efficiency of the solar cell can be increased. This study aims to use a zinc porphyrin complex solar cell to increase effectiveness. To begin this task, the reagent required for porphyrin complexing, methyl 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate, must be synthesized and purified through column chromatography. By increasing the efficiency of the synthesis and purification of 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate, a sufficient portion was collected and analyzed. The next step will be to obtain enough methyl 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate to form 5-(5-Methoxycarbonyl-2-furyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)porphyrin. As a result, the porphyrin synthesis can be fine-tuned for solar cell experimentation and data collection can provide information for solar power research.
Human and Animal Subjects
no
IRB or IACUC Approval
yes
Faculty Mentor Name
Wendi Fleeman
Faculty Mentor Title
Doctor
Faculty Mentor Department
Natural Sciences
Second Faculty Mentor
Derek Jones
Second Faculty Mentor Title
Doctor
Second Faculty Mentor Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Sarver, Isabelle and Skeenes, Ian, "The Path to Better Solar Cells: Column Chromatography" (2025). Celebration of Scholarship. 2.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2025/session8/2
Location
LIB 204
The Path to Better Solar Cells: Column Chromatography
LIB 204
Solar energy provides a fundamental basis for advancing clean, green energy. However, its current developmental process requires extensive research to be competitive for the race for clean energy. By incorporating a metal complex into an experimental solar cell, the efficiency of the solar cell can be increased. This study aims to use a zinc porphyrin complex solar cell to increase effectiveness. To begin this task, the reagent required for porphyrin complexing, methyl 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate, must be synthesized and purified through column chromatography. By increasing the efficiency of the synthesis and purification of 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate, a sufficient portion was collected and analyzed. The next step will be to obtain enough methyl 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate to form 5-(5-Methoxycarbonyl-2-furyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)porphyrin. As a result, the porphyrin synthesis can be fine-tuned for solar cell experimentation and data collection can provide information for solar power research.
