Title: Activation of molecular catalysts using semiconductor quantum dots

Abstract

Photocatalytic materials based on coupling of semiconductor nanocrystalline quantum dots (NQD) and molecular catalysts. These materials have capability to drive or catalyze non-spontaneous chemical reactions in the presence of visible radiation, ultraviolet radiation, or both. The NQD functions in these materials as a light absorber and charge generator. Following light absorption, the NQD activates a molecular catalyst adsorbed on the surface of the NQD via transfer of one or more charges (either electrons or electron-holes) from the NQD to the molecular catalyst. The activated molecular catalyst can then drive a chemical reaction. A photoelectrolytic device that includes such photocatalytic materials is also described.

Inventors:

Meyer, Thomas J ^[1]; Sykora, Milan ^[2]; Klimov, Victor I ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Chapel Hill, NC
2. Los Alamos, NM

Issue Date:

2011-10-04

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1029287

Patent Number(s):

8029652

Application Number:

11/605,672

Assignee:

Los Alamos National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J2231/62 - Reductions in general of inorganic substrates, e.g. formal hydrogenation, e.g. of N2
B01J2531/0216 - Bi- or polynuclear complexes, i.e. comprising two or more metal coordination centres, without metal-metal bonds, e.g. Cp
B01J2531/821 - Ruthenium
B01J31/1815 - {with more than one complexing nitrogen atom, e.g. bipyridyl, 2-aminopyridine}
B01J35/004 - {Photocatalysts}

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B3/042 - {Decomposition of water}

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01G - CAPACITORS

H01G9/20 - Light-sensitive devices

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/36 - Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC52-06NA25396

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY