Eutectic Photoanode Active Layer for Visible Light Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoanodes for water photolysis in photoelectrochemical cells face challenges in absorbing visible light due to high band gaps, require chemical stability in aqueous solutions, and need to be cost-effective for industrial scale production, which oxide materials often fail to meet.
Innovation Solution
Employing eutectic materials such as nickel titanate-titanium oxide, tungsten trioxide-titanium oxide as the active layer in photoanodes, combined with a conductive contact layer and protective coatings, to enhance light absorption and chemical stability, and using a crystalline structure for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxide materials are used for photoanodes, then chemical stability is improved, but light absorption efficiency deteriorates due to high band gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of eutectic mixtures of metal oxides (such as NiTiO3-TiO2, WO3-TiO2, SrTiO3-TiO2, CoTiO3-TiO2, MnTiO3-TiO2) that combine the chemical stability of oxide materials with reduced band gaps. These eutectic composites enable effective visible light absorption while maintaining stability in aqueous electrolyte solutions, resolving the contradiction between chemical stability and light absorption efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If materials with small band gaps are used, then light absorption efficiency is improved, but chemical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The eutectic composite structure combines metal oxides with complementary properties, where the mixture achieves a lower effective band gap for visible light absorption while the oxide composition maintains chemical stability in aqueous environments. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of both light absorption and chemical stability.
3Productivity
If new materials are developed to meet performance requirements, then photoelectrochemical efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes eutectic compositions that can be synthesized through controlled changes in fabrication parameters such as sintering temperature and composition ratios. By adjusting these parameters, the material achieves optimal photoelectrochemical performance while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes for metal oxide materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The eutectic materials demonstrate high photocurrent density and stability over time when exposed to electrolytes, effectively absorbing a wider range of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, and are suitable for industrial-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
the process of the decomposition of water into oxygen and charges are generated which are transferred through an electric circuit to electrodes on which hydrogen is obtained, with the use of the electromagnetic (including solar) radiation energy
Implementation Method 2
the absorption of the electromagnetic radiation and the production of the electron-hole pair of the electric charge carriers occurs
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a material selected from the group comprising: an eutectic, subeutectic, hypereutectic, monotectic, submonotectic, hypermonotectic, eutectoidal, subeutectoidal and hypereutectoidal material or a material being a product of a spinodal decomposition as an active layer in an electrode, especially in the photoanode for photoelectrochemical cells. The invention also includes an electrode, especially a photoanode for photoelectrochemical cells, comprising at least an active layer and an electric contact, optionally a contact layer situated between the active layer and the electric contact, characterised in that the active layer (1) made of a material selected from the group including: an eutectic, subeutectic, hypereutectic, monotectic, submonotectic, hypermonotectic, eutectoidal, subeutectoidal and hypereutectoidal material or a material being a product of spinodal decomposition.