摘要:
An electrode is disclosed for use in photoelectrochemical cells having an electrolyte which includes an aqueous constituent. The electrode includes a semiconductor and a hydrophobic film disposed between the semiconductor and the aqueous constituent. The hydrophobic film is adapted to permit charges to pass therethrough while substantially decreasing the activity of the aqueous constituent at the semiconductor surface thereby decreasing the photodegradation of the semiconductor electrode.
摘要:
A heterojunction photovoltaic device, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in highly efficient photovoltaic cells and radiometric detection cells.
摘要:
According to the present invention, improved electrodes overcoated with conductive polymer films and preselected catalysts are provided. The electrodes typically comprise an inorganic semiconductor overcoated with a charge conductive polymer film comprising a charge conductive polymer in or on which is a catalyst or charge-relaying agent.
摘要:
This disclosure relates primarily to the recovery of hydrogen-reduced metals from aqueous solutions of salts thereof, such as, for example, copper from copper sulphate solution, by hydrogen reduction at a catalytic barrier made pervious to the solution, in an apparatus provided with means to supply hydrogen along a face of said barrier at which the aqueous solution is applied to effect deposition thereupon and flowing the solution transversely through the barrier to continue deposition upon the other face of the barrier.
摘要:
Hydrogen is produced from an electrolyte solution by suspending semiconducting platelets in a vertically flowing solution of the electrolyte contained in a radiant energy transparent, vertically disposed divergent fluid conduit. By utilizing a divergent fluid conduit to suspend the platelets in the vertically flowing electrolyte the platelets are maintained in a substantially stable equilibrium position in the conduit with a constant electrolyte flow rate and the particular array of platelets in the conduit can be specifically controlled by simply varying the weight, size or shape of the platelets, further improving the hydrogen generating capability of such system. The fluid conduit is impinged with radiant energy of sufficient wavelength to cause charge transfer in the platelets dissociating the electrolyte solution producing the hydrogen gas. The platelets are maintained suspended in the vertically flowing electrolyte by controlling the flow rate of the electrolyte solution. The respective dissociation products are collected for subsequent energy generation. For example, if a bromide electrolyte is used the bromine is also collected. The semiconducting platelets comprise an n-doped semiconducting layer, ohmic contact, and p-doped semiconducting layer, at least the edge of the ohmic contact being covered by an insulation layer.
摘要:
A method for electroplating a metallic layer onto the surface of a photovoltaic device absent any external electrical contacts to the surface. The photovoltaic device is placed in an electrolytic plating bath where it is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation to which the device is photovoltaically responsive. Plating from the electrolytic bath results from current flow generated in the device itself.
摘要:
Radiant energy in conjunction with an n-type amorphous silicon semiconducting photoanode to at least partially power an electrolytic cell is used in the generation of hydrogen, utilizing a bromide, preferably hydrogen bromide, as the essential electrolyte component in the electrolytic cell to solve overvoltage and corrosion problems associated with the use of conventional electrolytes in similar environments. The use of the bromide electrolyte results in the broadening of the selection of semiconductor electrodes which can be used in the process and apparatus of the present invention enabling the amorphous silicon semiconducting electrode to be used with superior anticorrosive and radiant energy gathering results over conventional systems. To insure against corrosion, the amorphous silicon semiconductor should preferably be used with a thin layer of platinum overcoating. The hydrogen generated from such system can be used to power a fuel cell.
摘要:
A halogen, such as chlorine, is generated by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide such as sodium chloride, in a cell having anolyte and catholyte chambers separated by a solid polymer electrolyte in the form of a stable, selectively cation permeable, ion exchange membrane. One or more catalytic electrodes including at least one thermally stabilized, reduced oxide of a platinum group metal are bonded to the surface of the membrane. An aqueous brine solution is brought into contact with the anode and water or an aqueous NaOH solution is brought into contact with the cathode. The brine is electrolyzed to produce chlorine at the anode and hydrogen and caustic at the cathode. The cell membrane preferably has an anion rejecting cathode side barrier layer which rejects hyroxyl ions to block back migration of caustic to the anode thereby enhancing the cathode current efficiency of the cell and of the process.
摘要:
A process for the conversion of carbon dioxide or the bicarbonate ion into useful organic compounds, such as formic acid, formaldehyde and methanol, which comprises carrying out the reduction in a photoelectrochemical cell, wherein the cathode is a p-type semiconductor, and at least part of the energy of reduction is supplied by light, including sunlight.
摘要:
A deposition unit having a cathode surface is submerged in a natural body of moving water containing various materials including metallic materials carried by the flow of movement of the water body. The flow of water encompasses the deposition unit and contacts the cathode surface. An electric current at the cathode surface causes electrodeposition of certain materials contained within the flow of moving water. The electrical energy for electrodeposition is derived from a naturally occurring and proximate energy source at the body of water. Energy from tidal flow, from water movement beneath the surface, from wave motion at the upper surface, or from a temperature difference between the upper and lower levels of the water body, operates an electrical generator which supplies the electrodeposition energy. The flow of water relative to the deposition unit cooperatively interacts with magnetic flux emanating from another embodiment of the deposition unit to establish the electrodeposition energy. Other sources of proximate naturally occurring energy for effecting electrodeposition are wind energy and solar energy.