Integrated device and substrate for separating charged carriers and reducing photocorrosion and method for the photoelectrochemical production of electricity and photocatalytic production of hydrogen
US7981261B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P30/00
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides a system for separating oppositely-charged charge carriers, the substrate comprising a semiconductor; a ligand in electrical communication with said semiconductor; an ion-exchange resin attached to the semiconductor; an ion-exchange membrane; and an electrical conduit attaching said resin to said membrane. Also provided is a method for producing hydrogen gas, comprising: inducing charge separation in semiconductor particles so as to produce electrons and holes; oxidizing water with the holes to produce oxygen ions and protons, wherein the protons are sequestered from the oxygen ions as the protons are produced; and directing the sequestered protons to a cathode. The invention also provides a method to produce electricity comprising, inducing charge separation in semiconductor particles so as to produce electrons and holes, and completing the circuit with an electron hole transporter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.