System for Harvesting Oriented Light - Water Splitting

Abstract

A system and method for splitting water to produce hydrogen and oxygen employing focused polarized sunlight energy is disclosed. Hydrogen and oxygen may then be stored for later use as fuels. The system and method use inorganic capping agents that cap the surface of semiconductor nanocrystals to form photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals, which may be deposited and oriented on a substrate to form an oriented photoactive material. The oriented photoactive material may be employed in the system to harvest sunlight and produce energy necessary for water splitting. The system may also include a light polarization system and elements necessary to collect, transfer, and store hydrogen and oxygen, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 792,698, entitled “SYSTEM FOR HARVESTING ORIENTED LIGHT—WATER SPLITTING,” filed Mar. 11, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present disclosure relates to water splitting systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to hydrogen generation systems in which a light source is used for the photocatalytic decomposition of water.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Because a chemical energy carrier offers the only practical means for storing large amounts of energy, hydrogen is a primary candidate for future energy storage. Although many methods exist for the production of hydrogen, most of those methods have problems regarding production efficiency and costs.[0006]Photoelectric materials are candidates for an efficient method for producing hydrogen. These methods generally require strong...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new technology using semiconductor nanocrystals to capture sunlight energy. These nanocrystals absorb light at different wavelengths, which can be controlled based on their size. The nanocrystals have a unique structure that allows them to transfer charges quickly to water, which speeds up the reaction and prevents the loss of energy through recombination. When used in combination with a polarization system, this technology can increase the amount of sunlight energy that can be captured. Additionally, the nanocrystals have a high surface area available for light absorption.

Problems solved by technology

Although many methods exist for the production of hydrogen, most of those methods have problems regarding production efficiency and costs.

As a result of quantum confinement, materials that are not suitable semiconductors in bulk form due to insufficient energetic electrons or holes can be utilized on a nano scale.

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