Multielectrode photoelectrochemical cell for unassisted photocatalysis and photosynthesis

Patent · Tue Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6158206

Smotkin, E; Bard, A J; Fox, M A

A multielectrode photoelectrochemical unit for unassisted photoelectrical-induction of a chemical reaction is described comprising: a housing having at least one light-passing side, a first end, a second end and a housing wall defining an internal section; a first photoactive bipolar electrode panel in the internal section having a semiconductor side, an ohmic contact layer and a underside; a second photoactive bipolar electrode panel in the internal section, the second photoactive bipolar electrode panel having a semiconductor side, an ohmic contact layer and a catalytic side and being attached to the housing wall near the second end of the internal section with the catalytic side oriented toward the second end and partially forming a second terminal compartment, an internal compartment in the internal section being partially formed by the underside of the first photoactive bipolar electrode panel and the semiconductor side of the second photoactive bipolar electrode panel, the first and second photoactive bipolar electrode panels being attached to the housing walls to prevent liquid flow between the internal compartment and the terminal compartments and being positioned so that light from an external source entering the internal section is substantially incident upon the semi-conductor sides.

• Assignee: Gas Research Institute, Chicago, IL
• Patent Number(s): US 4793910
• OSTI ID: 6158206
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 18 May 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ELECTRODES
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DESIGN
CATALYSIS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
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