Optical optimization for a photoelectrochemical reactor

The optical system in the photoelectrochemical reactor filters solar radiation into distinct spectral domains for each electrode, enhancing efficiency and durability by optimizing light absorption and reducing heat transfer, addressing inefficiencies in existing cells.

FR3145168B1Active Publication Date: 2025-01-17COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023000566
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-01-20
Publication Date
2025-01-17
Estimated Expiration
2043-01-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing photoelectrochemical cells are inefficient due to titanium dioxide's limited spectral response in the ultraviolet range and significant heat transfer from infrared radiation, leading to material degradation and reduced lifespan.

Method used

An optical system with first and second reflectors outside the reactor filters solar radiation into distinct spectral domains, optimizing the light intensity and spectrum for each photocatalytic layer, using semiconductor materials with specific bandgap energies to enhance efficiency and reduce heat transfer.

Benefits of technology

This approach increases the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical reactor by optimizing light absorption for each electrode, reducing heat-induced degradation, and extending the reactor's lifespan by using spectral filtering and appropriate semiconductor materials.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Installation comprising: - a solar photoelectrochemical reactor (1), including: a photoanode (PA) and a photocathode (PC), sensitive to solar radiation (RS); first and second walls (P1, P2), transparent to solar radiation (RS), facing respectively the photoanode (PA) and the photocathode (PC); - an optical system, arranged outside the solar photoelectrochemical reactor (1), and including first and second reflectors (R1, R2), designed to reflect respectively: a first spectral region of incident solar radiation (RS) towards the first wall (P1), a second spectral region of incident solar radiation (RS), different from the first spectral region, towards the second wall (P2). Figure 3
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Description

Title of the invention: Optical optimization for a photoelectrochemical reactor Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of photoelectrochemical reactors.

[0002] The invention finds its application in particular in the dissociation of water (“water splitting” in English) for the production of dihydrogen H2, the production of solar fuels from water H2O and carbon dioxide CO2. State of the art

[0003] A photoelectrochemical cell known from the state of the art, in particular from document EP 2 737 941 A1, comprises a photoanode and a photocathode, sensitive to solar radiation. The photoanode comprises a photocatalytic layer made of titanium dioxide TiO2, while the photocathode comprises a photocatalytic layer made of copper oxide Cu2O.

[0004] Such a state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical cell is not entirely satisfactory in terms of efficiency (or yield) since titanium dioxide TiO2 absorbs in the ultraviolet (wavelength less than 400 nm) and ultraviolet radiation only represents approximately 3% of the electromagnetic energy of the sun.

[0005] Many research works aim to broaden the spectral response band of the photocatalytic layer made of titanium dioxide TiO2 of the photoanode, for example using suitable doping (e.g. nitrogen), by band engineering, by the formation of heterojunctions, by the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles for surface plasmon resonance, by the use of co-catalysts etc. Such state-of-the-art solutions are generally still at the research stage, and significantly complicate the manufacture of the photoelectrochemical cell.

[0006] Furthermore, infrared radiation represents the majority (approximately 45%) of the electromagnetic energy of the sun, and leads to a massive transfer of heat to the photoelectrochemical cell which is likely to degrade over time. Presentation of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, the invention relates to an installation, comprising: - a solar photoelectrochemical reactor, comprising: a photoanode and a photocathode, sensitive to solar radiation; first and second walls, transparent to solar radiation, facing the photoanode and the photocathode respectively; - an optical system, arranged outside the solar photoelectrochemical reactor, and comprising first and second reflectors, designed to respectively reflect: a first spectral domain of incident solar radiation towards the first wall, a second spectral domain of incident solar radiation, different from the first spectral domain, towards the second wall.

[0008] Thus, such an installation according to the invention makes it possible to differentiate the solar radiation received by the photoanode and the solar radiation received by the photocathode, thanks to an optical system arranged outside the photoelectrochemical reactor. Indeed, the solar radiation received by the photoanode has been spectrally filtered by the first reflector while the solar radiation received by the photocathode has been spectrally filtered by the second reflector. This differentiated spectral filtering for the photoanode and for the photocathode makes it possible to envisage an increase in the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical reactor by adjusting the first and second spectral domains respectively to the nature of the photoanode and the photocathode. This differentiated spectral filtering makes it possible to overcome the complex solutions of the state of the art for modifying the materials of the photoanode and the photocathode.

[0009] Furthermore, this differentiated spectral filtering makes it possible to consider limiting the infrared radiation received by the photoanode, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the heat transfer in the photoelectrochemical reactor, with an improvement in its lifetime (less degradation of the materials). In addition, this differentiated spectral filtering makes it possible to consider limiting the ultraviolet radiation received by the photocathode, which also makes it possible to improve the lifetime of the photoelectrochemical reactor (less degradation of the materials).

[0010] The installation according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0011] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first and second reflectors are designed to respectively reflect the first and second spectral domains according to respectively first and second different light intensities.

[0012] Thus, an advantage provided is to be able to modulate the power of the radiation received by the photoanode and by the photocathode. This differentiation of the light intensities makes it possible in particular to consider increasing the first light intensity in the ultraviolet to increase the efficiency of the photoanode, and to reduce the second light intensity in the infrared to reduce the heat transfer to the photocathode.

[0013] According to a characteristic of the invention: - the photoanode comprises a photocatalytic layer made of a first semiconductor material having a band gap energy, noted Egi; - the first reflector is designed to filter all or part of the wavelengths, denoted Xi, of the incident solar radiation verifying \ ( where "h" is Planck's constant and "c" is the speed of light in a vacuum.

[0014] Thus, an advantage provided is to increase the efficiency and durability of the photoelectrochemical reactor by deviating from the photoanode or by eliminating all or part of the solar spectrum whose energy does not allow the photoanode to generate electron-hole pairs.

[0015] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first semiconductor material is chosen from titanium dioxide TiO2, bismuth vanadate BiVO4, zinc oxide ZnO, tin dioxide SnO2, tungsten trioxide WO3, ferric oxide Fe2O3.

[0016] Thus, an advantage provided by these “n” type materials is due to their stable physicochemical properties over time to efficiently generate electron-hole pairs, separate them (i.e. avoid their recombination) and transport them, as well as their quality of adsorption of reagents.

[0017] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second reflector is designed to filter wavelengths, denoted X2, of the incident solar radiation verifying X2 < 400 nm.

[0018] Thus, an advantage provided is to be able to deflect towards the photoanode or eliminate the ultraviolet radiation, too energetic for the strict needs of photo-excitation of the photocathode, and which leads to degradation of the photoelectrochemical reactor in the long term.

[0019] According to a characteristic of the invention: - the photocathode comprises a photocatalytic layer produced in a second semiconductor material having a band gap energy, denoted Eg2; - the second reflector is designed to filter all or part of the wavelengths, noted X2, of the incident solar radiation verifying > hc ES. where "h" is the constant Planck's speed and "c" is the speed of light in a vacuum.

[0020] Thus, an advantage provided is to increase the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical reactor by eliminating all or part of the solar spectrum whose energy does not allow the photocathode to generate electron-hole pairs.

[0021] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second semiconductor material is chosen from copper oxide Cu2O, a perovskite, a delafossite, a spinel, silicon, boron arsenide BAs, tungsten selenide WSe2, zinc sulfide ZnS, indium phosphide InP, gallium-indium phosphide GaInP2.

[0022] Thus, an advantage provided by these “p” type materials is due to their stable physicochemical properties over time to efficiently generate electron-hole pairs, separate them (i.e. avoid their recombination) and transport them, as well as their quality of adsorption of reagents.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, each of the first and second reflectors comprises at least one mirror chosen from a plane mirror, a parabolic mirror, a cylindro-parabolic mirror.

[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first and second reflectors respectively comprise first and second coatings adapted to reflect the first and second spectral domains respectively.

[0025] Thus, an advantage provided is the ease of implementation to obtain the desired first and second spectral domains.

[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises displacement means, configured to move the first and second reflectors according to the incident solar radiation so that the first and second reflectors respectively reflect the first and second spectral domains respectively towards the first and second walls.

[0027] Thus, an advantage provided is to optimize the intensity of the radiation reflected by the first and second reflectors towards the first and second walls respectively as a function of the position of the sun.

[0028] Definitions

[0029] - By “reactor” is meant an enclosure intended to receive a reaction volume.

[0030] - By "photoelectrochemical" we mean the use of light and reactions chemicals to produce electricity.

[0031] - By "photoanode" is meant an electrode sensitive to light, and where a electrochemical oxidation reaction.

[0032] - By "photocathode" is meant an electrode sensitive to light, and where takes place an electrochemical reduction reaction.

[0033] - By "first (or second) spectral domain" is meant a restriction of the spectrum solar in terms of wavelengths reflected by the corresponding reflector.

[0034] - By "photocatalytic layer" is meant a layer capable of generating at least an electron-hole pair when the layer is subjected to photoexcitation (with sufficient energy), and where an oxidation-reduction reaction can take place on the surface of the layer. The photocatalytic layer can be continuous, or discontinuous when the photocatalyst (i.e. the material of the photocatalytic layer) is in suspension, i.e. dispersed in fine particles inside the reaction volume.

[0035] - By “filter” we mean that the reflector is designed to: (i) directly filter all or part of the corresponding wavelengths by its intrinsic characteristics, or (ii) indirectly filter all or part of the corresponding wavelengths by deflecting the incident solar radiation towards other surfaces.

[0036] - By "perovskite" is meant calcium titanate CaTiO3, as well as all compounds with the empirical formula ABO3 having the same crystal structure.

[0037] - By "delafossite" is meant an oxide of iron and copper CuFeO2, as well as all compounds of the empirical formula ABO2 having the same crystal structure.

[0038] - By "spinel" is meant an oxide of magnesium and aluminum MgAl2O4 as well as than minerals of gross formula AB2X4, in particular CuM2O4, where M=A1, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co. Brief description of the drawings

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, the description being accompanied by examples and references to the attached drawings.

[0040] [Fig.l] is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a photoelectrochemical reactor which can equip an installation according to the invention, illustrating an application for the production of a fuel (eg methanol CH3OH) from a reduction of carbon dioxide CO2.

[0041] [Fig.2] is a strip diagram of a photoelectrochemical cell, the The photoanode and the photocathode each comprise a photocatalytic layer made of a semiconductor material.

[0042] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of an installation according to the invention, illustrating a first arrangement of the first and second reflectors of the optical system.

[0043] [Fig.4] is a schematic side view of an installation according to the invention, illustrating a second arrangement of the first and second reflectors of the optical system.

[0044] [Fig.5] is a schematic side view of an installation according to the invention, illustrating an embodiment of the first and second reflectors of the optical system, wherein each of the first and second reflectors comprises a plurality of mirrors.

[0045] It should be noted that the drawings described above are schematic, and are not necessarily to scale for the sake of readability and to simplify their understanding. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0046] Elements that are identical or provide the same function will bear the same references for the different embodiments, for the sake of simplification.

[0047] An object of the invention is an installation, comprising: - a solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1, comprising: a photoanode PA and a photocathode PC, sensitive to solar radiation RS; first and second walls PI, P2, transparent to solar radiation RS, facing respectively the photoanode PA and the photocathode PC; - an optical system, arranged outside the solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1, and comprising first and second reflectors RI, R2, designed to respectively reflect: a first spectral domain of incident solar radiation RS towards the first wall PI, a second spectral domain of incident solar radiation RS, different from the first spectral domain, towards the second wall P2.

[0048] Solar photoelectrochemical reactor

[0049] By way of non-limiting examples, the solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1 may have a circular, square, rectangular, or triangular cross-section. The solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1 is preferably of the tubular type.

[0050] The solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1 comprises first and second walls PI, P2 transparent to solar radiation RS, and facing respectively the photoanode PA and the photocathode PC. The first and second walls PI, P2 will be called “frontal”. The solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1 comprises an enclosure PI, P2, P intended to receive a reaction volume, and able to delimit an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. The enclosure PI, P2, P comprises the first and second front walls PI, P2, and longitudinal walls P connecting the first and second front walls PI, P2. The longitudinal walls P are preferably opaque to solar radiation RS. However, the longitudinal walls P may be partly transparent to solar radiation RS. The anode chamber is intended to receive a first electrolyte ELI while the cathode chamber is intended to receive a second electrolyte EL2.The anode chamber and the cathode chamber are separated by a membrane 3. The membrane 3 is advantageously an ion exchange membrane, suitable for diffusing certain ions produced by the photoelectrochemical reactor 1, for example H+ ions. By way of non-limiting example, the membrane 3 may be made of nafion®. The first electrolyte ELI and the second electrolyte EL2 may be in the liquid phase or in the gaseous phase. By way of non-limiting example, the first electrolyte ELI may be a liquid phase of water H2O while the second electrolyte EL2 may be a gaseous phase of carbon dioxide CO2. The first electrolyte ELI may be identical to the second electrolyte EL2, for example water H2O in the case of the production of dihydrogen H2.

[0051] The solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1 comprises a photoanode PA sensitive to solar radiation RS. The photoanode PA advantageously comprises a photocatalytic layer 10 made of a first semiconductor material SCI having a bandgap energy, denoted Egi. The first semiconductor material SCI is advantageously of type n, and chosen from titanium dioxide TiO2, bismuth vanadate BiVO4, zinc oxide ZnO, tin dioxide SnO2, tungsten trioxide WO3, ferric oxide Fe2O3. More precisely, the photoanode PA may comprise an electrode E covered with the photocatalytic layer 10. As an example not limiting, the electrode E can be made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metallic material (eg Ag, Al). The photocatalytic layer 10 can be discontinuous. In other words, the photocatalytic layer 10 of the photoanode PA can be in suspension, that is to say dispersed in fine particles inside the reaction volume, in order to improve the mass transfer at the interface between the first electrolyte ELI and the first semiconductor material SCI.

[0052] As a variant of the photocatalytic layer 10, the photoanode PA may comprise an electrode E covered with a photovoltaic layer, i.e. a layer capable of generating at least one electron-hole pair when the layer is subjected to photoexcitation. As non-limiting examples, the photovoltaic layer may comprise: - a perovskite photovoltaic cell (calcium titanate CaTiO3); - a cadmium telluride CdTe photovoltaic cell; - a CIGS type photovoltaic cell (copper, indium, gallium, selenium); - a CZTS type photovoltaic cell (copper, zinc, tin, sulfur); - a photovoltaic cell based on crystalline silicon, in particular with amorphous silicon / crystalline silicon heterojunction; - a monolithic multi-junction type architecture, such as cells based on III-V materials, silicon / perovskite tandem cells.

[0053] The solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1 comprises a photocathode PC sensitive to solar radiation RS. The photocathode PC advantageously comprises a photocatalytic layer 20 made of a second semiconductor material SC2 having a band gap energy, denoted Eg2. The second semiconductor material SC2 is advantageously of p-type, and chosen from copper oxide Cu2 O, a perovskite, a delafossite (for example copper-based, such as CuFeO2, CuA1O2, CuCrO2, CuRhO2), a spinel (eg CuM2O4 where M=A1, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co), silicon, boron arsenide BAs, tungsten selenide WSe2, zinc sulfide ZnS, indium phosphide InP, gallium-indium phosphide GaInP2. More specifically, the photocathode PC may comprise an electrode E covered with the photocatalytic layer 20. By way of non-limiting example, the electrode E may be made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metallic material (eg Ag, Al).The photocatalytic layer 20 may be discontinuous. In other words, the photocatalytic layer 20 of the photocathode PC may be in suspension, that is to say dispersed in fine particles inside the reaction volume, in order to improve the mass transfer at the interface between the second electrolyte EL2 and the second semiconductor material SC2.

[0054] As a variant of the photocatalytic layer 20, the photocathode PC may comprise an electrode E covered with a photovoltaic layer, i.e. a layer capable of generating at least one electron-hole pair when the layer is subjected to photoexcitation. By way of non-limiting examples, the photovoltaic layer may comprise: - a perovskite photovoltaic cell (calcium titanate CaTiO3); - a cadmium telluride CdTe photovoltaic cell; - a CIGS type photovoltaic cell (copper, indium, gallium, selenium); - a CZTS type photovoltaic cell (copper, zinc, tin, sulfur); - a photovoltaic cell based on crystalline silicon, in particular with amorphous silicon / crystalline silicon heterojunction; - a monolithic multi-junction type architecture, such as cells based on III-V materials, silicon / perovskite tandem cells.

[0055] The photoanode PA and the photocathode PC are advantageously connected by an external circuit in which electrons e generated by the photoanode PA circulate. The photons of the solar radiation RS1 reflected by the first reflector RI are absorbed by the first semiconductor material SCI, and excite the electrons of its valence band BVI, which can then generate electron-hole pairs e / h+. More precisely, an electron e can cross the band gap Egi of the first semiconductor material SCI if the photons of the solar radiation RS1 reflected by the first reflector RI are sufficiently energetic, then the electron e can then pass from the valence band BVI to the conduction band BC1 of the first semiconductor material SCI. A hole h+ (i.e. an absence of electron or vacancy) is simultaneously created in the valence band BV1. The h+ holes reach the surface of the photocatalytic layer 10 of the photoanode PA where they can react with the first electrolyte ELI.The electrons e pass from the conduction band BC1 of the first semiconductor material SCI to the valence band BV2 of the second semiconductor material SC2 via the external circuit, thus creating a photocurrent. At the same time, the solar radiation photons RS2 reflected by the second reflector R2 are absorbed by the second semiconductor material SC2, and excite the electrons in its valence band BV2, which can then generate electron-hole pairs e / h+. More precisely, an electron e can cross the band gap Eg2 of the second semiconductor material SC2 if the solar radiation photons RS2 reflected by the second reflector R2 are sufficiently energetic, then the electron e can then pass from the valence band BV2 to the conduction band BC2 of the second semiconductor material SC2.The electrons e from the conduction band BC2 of the second semiconductor material SC2 reach the surface of the photocatalytic layer 20 of the photocathode PC where they can react with the second electrolyte EL2.

[0056] Optical system

[0057] The optical system is arranged outside the solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1. In

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061] In other words, the optical system is located outside the solar photoelectrochemical reactor 1. The optical system comprises a first reflector RI designed to reflect a first spectral domain of incident solar radiation RS towards the first wall PL. The first spectral domain is restrictive compared to the entire solar spectrum. The first reflector RI is advantageously arranged to reflect the first spectral domain of the incident solar radiation RS so that the solar radiation RS1 reflected by the first reflector RI extends in a direction parallel to the normal to the surface of the first wall PI of the photoelectrochemical reactor 1. Such an arrangement of the first reflector RI makes it possible to maximize the intensity of the radiation RS1 received by the photoanode PA, with a view to increasing the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical reactor 1. The optical system comprises a second reflector R2 designed to reflect a second spectral domain of incident solar radiation RS towards the second wall P2. The second spectral domain is different from the first spectral domain. The second spectral domain is restrictive with respect to the entire solar spectrum. The second reflector R2 is advantageously arranged to reflect the second spectral domain of the incident solar radiation RS so that the solar radiation RS2 reflected by the second reflector R2 extends in a direction parallel to the normal to the surface of the second wall P2 of the photoelectrochemical reactor 1. Such an arrangement of the second reflector R2 makes it possible to maximize the intensity of the radiation RS2 received by the photocathode PC, with a view to increasing the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical reactor 1. The first and second reflectors RI, R2 are advantageously designed to respectively reflect the first and second spectral domains according to respectively first and second different light intensities. By way of non-limiting examples, the first and second reflectors RI, R2 may comprise: - Fresnel mirrors having lens matrices (called linear Fresnel lenses) which can be focused or defocused so as to modulate the reflected light intensity for a given incidence of solar radiation RS; - heliostats that can be focused or defocused so as to modulate the reflected light intensity for a given incidence of solar radiation RS. When the photoanode PA comprises a photocatalytic layer 10 made of a first semiconductor material SCI having a band gap energy, denoted Egi, then the first reflector RI is advantageously designed to filter all or part of the wavelengths, denoted Xb of the incident solar radiation RS verifying X, > , where “h” is Planck’s constant and “c” is the speed of light in the A1 Es. empty. The first reflector RI then acts as a high-pass filter for the energy of the photons reflected by the first reflector RI (low-pass filter with respect to wavelengths).

[0062]

[0063] The second reflector R2 is advantageously designed to filter wavelengths, denoted X2, of the incident solar radiation RS verifying a? 400 nm. The second reflector R2 then acts as a low-pass filter for the energy of the photons reflected by the second reflector R2 (high-pass filter with respect to the wavelengths). When the photocathode PC comprises a photocatalytic layer 20 made of a second semiconductor material SC2 having a band gap energy, denoted Eg2, then the second reflector R2 is advantageously designed to filter all or part of the wavelengths, denoted X2, of the incident solar radiation RS verifying > > , where “h” is Planck’s constant and “c” is the speed of light in the empty. The second reflector R2 then acts as a high-pass filter for the energy of the photons reflected by the second reflector R2 (low-pass filter with respect to wavelengths).

[0064] Advantageously, the second reflector R2 is designed to reflect (bandpass filter) the wavelengths of the incident solar radiation RS verifying: 400 nm < X2 < In practice, the band gap energy Eg2 of the second semiconductor material SC2 is lower than the band gap energy Egi of the first semiconductor material SCI, so that > ​​4QQ mn.

[0065] Each of the first and second reflectors RI, R2 advantageously comprises at least one mirror M1, M2 chosen from a plane mirror, a parabolic mirror, a cylindro-parabolic mirror.

[0066] Advantageously, the first and second reflectors RI, R2 respectively comprise first and second coatings adapted to reflect the first and second spectral domains respectively. By way of non-limiting example, it is possible to use: - ultraviolet mirrors (called “cold”) which filter visible energy and infrared energy by transmission to the reflector (e.g. quartz glass - fused silica) or by absorption by the reflector (e.g. aluminum); - visible / infrared mirrors (called “cold”) which filter ultraviolet energy by transmission to the reflector or by absorption by the reflector.

[0067] Such cold mirrors are for example marketed by the companies THORLABS, NTFL of Newportlab, KANEKA etc.

[0068] As a non-limiting example, the first spectral domain is located in the ul transviolets while the second spectral domain is located in the infrared or visible.

[0069] The installation advantageously comprises displacement means, configured to move the first and second reflectors RI, R2 according to the incident solar radiation RS so that the first and second reflectors RI, R2 respectively reflect the first and second spectral domains respectively towards the first and second walls PI, P2. The displacement means advantageously comprise a solar tracker T, configured to orient itself according to the position of the sun in the sky.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed. Those skilled in the art are able to consider their technically effective combinations and to substitute equivalents for them.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation, comprising: - a solar photoelectrochemical reactor (1), comprising: a photoanode (PA) and a photocathode (PC), sensitive to solar radiation (RS); first and second walls (PI, P2), transparent to solar radiation (RS), facing respectively the photoanode (PA) and the photocathode (PC); - an optical system, arranged outside the solar photoelectrochemical reactor (1), and comprising first and second reflectors (RI, R2), designed to respectively reflect: a first spectral domain of incident solar radiation (RS) towards the first wall (PI), a second spectral domain of incident solar radiation (RS), different from the first spectral domain, towards the second wall (P2).

2. Installation according to claim 1, in which the first and second reflectors (RI, R2) are designed to respectively reflect the first and second spectral domains according to respectively first and second different light intensities.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, in which: - the photoanode (PA) comprises a photocatalytic layer (10) made of a first semiconductor material (SCI) having a band gap energy, noted Egi; - the first reflector (RI) is designed to filter all or part of the wavelengths, noted Xi, of the incident solar radiation (RS) verifying X, > , where "h" is the Planck constant and "c" is the 1 Eg speed of light in a vacuum.

4. Installation according to claim 3, in which the first semiconductor material (SCI) is chosen from titanium dioxide TiO2, bismuth vanadate BiVO4, zinc oxide ZnO, tin dioxide SnO2, tungsten trioxide WO3, ferric oxide Fe2O3.

5. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the second reflector (R2) is designed to filter wavelengths, noted X2, of the incident solar radiation (RS) verifying X2 < 400 nm.

6. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which: - the photocathode (PC) comprises a photocatalytic layer (20) made of a second semiconductor material (SC2) having a band gap energy, denoted Eg2; - the second reflector (R2) is designed to filter all or part of the wavelengths, denoted X2, of the incident solar radiation (RS) verifying X, > , where "h" is Planck's constant and "c" is the - Eg2 speed of light in a vacuum.

7. Installation according to claim 6, in which the second semiconductor material (SC2) is chosen from copper oxide Cu2O, a perovskite, a delafossite, a spinel, silicon, boron arsenide BAs, tungsten selenide WSe2, zinc sulfide ZnS, indium phosphide InP, gallium-indium phosphide GaInP2.

8. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which each of the first and second reflectors (RI, R2) comprises at least one mirror (Ml, M2) chosen from a plane mirror, a parabolic mirror, a cylindro-parabolic mirror.

9. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the first and second reflectors (RI, R2) respectively comprise first and second coatings adapted to reflect respectively the first and second spectral domains.

10. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which: - the first spectral domain is located in the ultraviolet; - the second spectral domain is located in the infrared or in the visible.

11. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising displacement means, configured to move the first and second reflectors (RI, R2) according to the incident solar radiation (RS) so that the first and second reflectors (RI, R2) respectively reflect the first and second spectral domains respectively towards the first and second walls (PI, P2).