Hydrogen gas generation utilizing a bromide electrolyte, an amorphous silicon semiconductor and radiant energy
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.
- Assignee:
- United Technologies Corp
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4236984
- OSTI ID:
- 6478440
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
080101 -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Electrolysis
14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ANODES
DESIGN
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HYDROBROMIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
INORGANIC ACIDS
LYSIS
MATERIALS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
PHOTOANODES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHOTOELECTROLYSIS
PHOTOELECTROLYTIC CELLS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SOLAR EQUIPMENT