Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Electrode Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting technologies face challenges with semiconductor electrodes, including wide-band materials that fail to harness the majority of the solar spectrum and narrow-band materials that require external voltage, leading to resistive losses and instability in electrolytes, making geometrical scale-up unsuitable.
Innovation Solution
A PEC module with a substrate and a matrix arrangement of working electrodes, connected through multiple ohmic contacts and connectors, which patterned deposition of semiconductor layers to reduce resistive losses and eliminate the need for additional bias from a photovoltaic module, allowing efficient water splitting without geometrical scale-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wide-band semiconductor material is used in the semiconductor electrode, then water splitting can be performed without external voltage source, but the solar spectrum cannot be effectively harnessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite electrode structure combining wide-band semiconductor material (for voltage generation without external source) with narrow-band semiconductor material or photovoltaic material (for enhanced solar spectrum absorption). This composite approach allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve self-powered operation and effective solar energy harnessing across different spectral ranges.
2Use of energy by moving object
If narrow-band semiconductor material is used in the semiconductor electrode, then majority of solar spectrum can be harnessed, but adequate voltage for water splitting cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines narrow-band semiconductor material (for broad solar spectrum absorption) with wide-band semiconductor material or photovoltaic material (for generating adequate voltage). This composite structure enables the electrode to harvest solar energy across most of the spectrum while simultaneously generating sufficient voltage for water splitting reactions.
3Productivity
If geometrical scale-up of the semiconductor electrode is performed, then water splitting effectiveness can be improved, but resistive losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the semiconductor electrode into multiple smaller electrode units arranged in an array, with each unit having its own substrate and semiconductor layer. These segmented electrodes are electrically connected through conductive layers, allowing the system to achieve high productivity through increased surface area while maintaining low resistive losses by keeping individual electrode dimensions small.
4Productivity
If high efficiency materials such as Silicon and III-V semiconductors are used, then water splitting efficiency can be improved, but stability in electrolytes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protective intermediate layers between the high-efficiency semiconductor materials (such as Silicon or III-V semiconductors) and the electrolyte solution. These intermediary protective layers prevent direct contact and chemical degradation of the semiconductor materials by strong electrolytes, thereby maintaining both high water splitting efficiency and long-term stability in the electrolyte environment.
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 solution enables effective and efficient water splitting with reduced resistive losses and stability, eliminating the need for external voltage and scale-up, resulting in a flexible, economical, and efficient PEC module for hydrogen and oxygen production.
Implementation Method 1
The semiconductor electrode is provided to convert solar energy directly into chemical energy to dissociate water. In particular, the semiconductor electrode converts the solar energy into electron-hole pairs to conduct redox reaction for water splitting.
Implementation Method 2
The working electrodes include multiple ohmic contacts formed between the plurality of connectors and the first conducting layer
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1d
Figure 1e
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an electrode (300, 400, 500). The electrode (300, 400, 500) includes a substrate (302). Further, the electrode (300, 400, 500) includes a first conducting layer (304) disposed on the substrate (302). The first conducting layer (304) is formed of at least one of an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and a Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO). The electrode (300, 400, 500) also includes at least one semiconductor layer (308, 502) disposed on the first conducting layer (304). Further, the electrode (300, 400, 500) includes at least one connector (120, 402, 504) distributed across the first conducting layer (304) and adapted to conduct an electric current from the electrode (300, 400, 500).