High-efficiency solar water splitting by nanocrystalline cobalt (II) oxide photocatalyst and uses thereof
US9259714B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/133
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to photocatalysts with high solar-to-hydrogen overall water splitting efficiency. In an embodiment, the photocatalyst is a nanocrystalline cobalt (II) oxide (CoO) nanoparticle. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of synthesizing the photocatalysts disclosed herein. Such a method may comprise using femtosecond laser ablation of cobalt oxide micropowders. In some embodiments, such a method comprises mechanical ball milling of cobalt oxide micropowders. In an embodiment, the photocatalyst disclosed herein decomposes water under visible light without the aid of any co-catalysts or sacrificial reagents. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of splitting water to produce hydrogen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.