One-unit photo-activated electrolyzer
Abstract
A photo-activated semiconductor device is adapted to be exposed to light energy. Two physically separated electrocatalysts are placed in electrical contact with the photo-activated semiconductor device. An electrolytic solution physically separated from the semiconductor device is placed in electrical contact with both electrocatalysts. A method for supplying electrical energy to an anode and a cathode is an electrochemical reaction zone containing an electrolytic solution which comprises positioning a photo-activated semiconductor device having separate donor and acceptor regions external to an electrolytic solution. The donor region is electrically connected to a cathode and the acceptor region is electrically connected to the anode. A portion of the photo-activated semiconductor device is exposed to a source of radiation which is external to the reaction zone. The products derived from the electrolytic solution are collected for later use.
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Citation
Murphy, Oliver J.; Bockris, John O. (1988). One-unit photo-activated electrolyzer. United States. Patent and Trademark Office; Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /176786.