Photoelectrochemical cell

Photoelectrochemical cell structure comprising:

• (a) a window for receiving electromagnetic radiation,
• (b) first photoelectrode means,
• (c) second electrode means,
• (d) electrolyte contacting said electrodes,
• (e) means for placing at least one photoactive site at the junction of said photoelectrode and said electrolyte located between said window and said first electrode, comprising:
• (i) first chamber for said electrolyte, located between said first electrode and said window,
• (ii) second chamber for said electrolyte located between said first and second electrodes, and
• (iii) communicating means for said electrolyte between said first and second chambers, and
• (f) means within said cell for reducing photodissolution of said electrodes,
• (g) whereby said first electrode is not required to be light transmissive.

Photoelectrochemical cell having a window receiving electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• (a) first photoactive electrode having a first light transmissive semiconductor layer for passing radiation of a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
• (b) second photoactive electrode having a second semiconductor layer responsive to radiation passed by said first photoactive electrode in said predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
• (c) said first and second semiconductor layers being deposited on opposing sides of a single substrate,
• (d) counterelectrode means cooperative with said photoactive electrodes for generating electricity,
• (e) electrolyte means contacting said photoactive electrodes and said counterelectrode, and
• (f) wherein at least one of said first and second semiconductor layers is doped with zinc selenide.

Photoelectrochemical cell having a window receiving electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• (a) first photoactive electrode having a first light transmissive semiconductor layer for passing radiation of a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
• (b) second photoactive electrode having a second semiconductor layer responsive to radiation passed by said first photoactive electrode in said predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
• (c) counterelectrode means cooperative with said photoactive electrodes for generating electricity,
• (d) electrolyte means contacting said photoactive electrodes and said counterelectrode,
• (e) a storage electrode,
• (f) a separate electrolyte chosen to reduce self discharge of said storage electrode,
• (g) a chamber for said separate electrolyte,
• (h) semi-permeable means interfacing said electrolyte and said separate electrolyte,
• (i) wherein at least one of said first and second semiconductor layers is doped with zinc selenide, and
• (j) whereby storage of electrical charge is effected.

Apparatus for photoelectrochemical conversion comprising:

• (a) a light transmissive window,
• (b) a photoelectrode comprising a semiconductor film on a conducting substrate,
• (c) a counterelectrode for production of electrical current in cooperation with said photoelectrode,
• (d) first electrolyte contacting said photoelectrode,
• (e) means within said first electrolyte for stabilizing said photoelectrode against dissolution,
• (f) first chamber for said first electrolyte,
• (g) a storage electrode comprising Cd/Cd(OH).sub.2,
• (h) second electrolyte contacting said storage electrode chosen to reduce self discharge of said storage electrode,
• (i) second chamber for said second electrolyte, and
• (j) semipermeable interfacing means contacting said first and said second electrolyte.

Apparatus for photoelectrochemical conversion comprising:

• (a) a light transmissive window,
• (b) a photoelectrode comprising a semiconductor film on a conducting substrate,
• (c) a counterelectrode for production of electrical current in cooperation with said photoelectrode,
• (d) first electrolyte contacting said photoelectrode,
• (e) means within said first electrolyte for stabilizing said photoelectrode against dissolution,
• (f) first chamber for said first electrolyte, comprising first and second subchambers, said first and second subchambers providing communication for the electrolyte contained therein by means of passages disposed within said cell,
• (g) a storage electrode,
• (h) second electrolyte contacting said storage electrode chosen to reduce self discharge of said storage electrode,
• (i) second chamber for said second electrolyte, and
• (j) semipermeable interfacing means contacting said first and said second electrolyte.

Apparatus for photoelectrochemical conversion comprising:

• (a) a light transmissive window,
• (b) a photoelectrode comprising a semiconductor film mounted on a nontransparent conducting substrate,
• (c) a counterelectrode for production of electrical current in cooperation with said photoelectrode,
• (d) first electrolyte contacting said photoelectrode,
• (e) means within said first electrolyte for stabilizing said photoelectrode against dissolution,
• (f) first chamber for said first electrolyte,
• (g) a storage electrode, comprising Cd--Cd(OH).sub.2
• (h) second electrolyte contacting said storage electrode chosen to reduce self discharge of said storage electrode,
• (i) second chamber for said second electrolyte, and
• (j) semipermeable interfacing means contacting said first and said second electrolyte.

Photoelectrochemical cell comprising a window receiving electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• (a) first photoactive electrode having a first light transmissive semiconductor layer for passing radiation of a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
• (b) second photoactive electrode having a second semiconductor layer responsive to radiation passed by said first photoactive electrode in said predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
• (c) counterelectrode means cooperative with said photoactive electrodes for producing electricity,
• (d) electrolyte means contacting said photoactive electrodes and said counterelectrode,
• (e) a storage electrode comprising Cd/Cd(OH).sub.2,
• (f) a separate electrolyte chosen to reduce self discharge of said storage electrode,
• (g) a chamber for said separate electrolyte, and
• (h) semipermeable means interfacing said electrolyte and said separate electrolyte,
• (i) whereby storage of electrical charge is effected.