Solar powered CO2 conversion

US9528192B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventor

• Bin Chen · Nanhu, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 31, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 27, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 23, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/133
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and devices for reducing CO2 to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. A device comprises a photoanode capable of splitting H2O into electrons, protons, and oxygen; an electrochemical cell cathode comprising an electro-catalyst capable of reducing CO2; H2O in contact with the surface of the photoanode; CO2 in contact with the surface of the cathode; and a proton-conducting medium positioned between the photoanode and the cathode. Electrical charges associated with the protons and the electrons move from the photoanode to the cathode, driven in part by a chemical potential difference sufficient to drive the electrochemical reduction of CO2 at the cathode. A light beam is the sole source of energy used to drive chemical reactions. The photoanode can comprise TiO2 nanowires or nanotubes, and can also include WO3 nanowires or nanotubes, quantum dots of CdS or PbS, and Ag or Au nanostructures. The cathode can comprise a conductive gas diffusion layer with nanostructures of an electro-catalyst such as Cu or Co.