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US 10,471,409 B2Granted
Methods for producing hydrogen using nanoparticle-catalyst mixtures
AssigneeUniversity of Rochester
InventorsTodd D. Krauss, Richard Eisenberg, Patrick Holland, Fen Qiu, Zhiji Han
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are compositions for and methods of producing hydrogen. For example, the compositions comprise nanocrystals, a catalyst, a source of electrons, and an aqueous medium. The nanocrystals, catalyst, aqueous medium, and, optionally, the source of electrons are present as a mixture. The methods produce hydrogen by exposing the compositions to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., solar flux).
Claims20
A method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of:
- a) contacting a nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle is selected from CdSe, CdS, CdTe, PbS, PbTe, PbSe, GaAs, InP, InAs, Si, and Ge nanoparticles and the nanoparticles are core-shell nanocrystals, nanorods, or dot-in rods, and a group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt catalyst in an aqueous medium to form a mixture in the presence of a source of electrons;
- and
- b) exposing the mixture from a) to electromagnetic radiation having at least a wavelength in the absorption profile of the nanoparticle,
- wherein the nanoparticle, the group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt complex catalyst, and aqueous medium are present as a mixture and,
- wherein upon exposure to the electromagnetic radiation the nanoparticle is capable of generating an electron that can reduce, in the presence of the group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt complex catalyst, a proton in the aqueous medium, and
- wherein the source of electrons is capable of reducing the nanoparticle after reduction of the proton,
- such that hydrogen is produced.
4 more elements
A composition for producing hydrogen comprising:
- a) a nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle is selected from CdSe, CdS, CdTe, PbS, PbTe, PbSe, GaAs, InP, InAs, Si, and Ge nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are core-shell nanocrystals, nanorods, or dot-in rods;
- b) a group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt catalyst;
- c) a source of electrons;
- and
- d) an aqueous medium;
- wherein the nanoparticle, the group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt complex catalyst, and aqueous medium are present as a mixture and,
- wherein upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the absorption profile of the nanoparticle the nanoparticle is capable of generating an electron that can reduce, in the presence of the group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt complex catalyst, a proton in the aqueous medium and the source of electrons is capable of reducing the nanoparticle after reduction of the proton.
4 more elements
A composition for producing hydrogen comprising:
- a) a nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle is selected from CdSe, CdS, CdTe, PbS, PbTe, PbSe, GaAs, InP, InAs, Si, and Ge nanoparticles;
- b) a group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt catalyst;
- c) a source of electrons;
- and
- d) an aqueous medium comprising water and a protic organic solvent;
- wherein the nanoparticle, the group 6 to group 11 transition metal salt complex catalyst, and aqueous medium are present as a mixture and,
- wherein upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the absorption profile of the nanoparticle the nanoparticle is capable of generating an electron that can reduce, in the presence of a metal complex catalyst, a proton in the aqueous medium and the source of electrons is capable of reducing the nanoparticle after reduction of the proton.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.