Mechanism for direct-water-splitting via piezoelectrochemical effect
US8454817B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/36
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A mechanism of initiating a redox reaction, such as hydrogen gas production by direct-water-splitting, is provided in which a piezoelectric material is mechanically stressed by actively applying a mechanical stress to the material. The mechanical stress applied to the piezoelectric material causes an electrical potential build up on the surface of the material due to the piezoelectric properties of the material. When the piezoelectric material stressed in this manner is placed in direct contact with the redox reaction reactant(s), the potential on the polarized surface can be used as chemical driving energy to initiate the reaction, such as to split water and generate hydrogen gas. In this manner the mechanical energy applied to the piezoelectric material, such as vibration energy from natural or man-made sources, can be converted directly into chemical energy to initiate the reaction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.