Heterojunction elevated-temperature photoelectrochemical cell
US10036093B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/133
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A solid-state PEC includes mixed ionic and electronic conducting oxides that allow it to operate at temperatures significantly above ambient utilizing both the light and thermal energy available from concentrated sunlight to dissociate water vapor. The solid-state PEC has a semiconductor light absorber coated with a thin MIEC oxide for improved catalytic activity, electrochemical stability and ionic conduction, which is located between the gas phase and the semiconductor light absorber. As a result, the MIEC oxide provides a facile path for minority carriers to reach the water vapor as well as a path for the ionic carriers to reach the solid electrolyte. Elevated temperature operation allows reasonable band misalignments at the interfaces to be overcome, reduces the required overpotential, and facilitates rapid product diffusion away from the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.