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US 4,305,794 AGranted
Photochemical electrode
AssigneeNational Research Development Corporation
InventorsRobert S. Davidson, Charles J. Willsher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Photochemical electrode can decompose water when irradiated with visible light and consists of red mercuric sulphide blackened by iodide treatment as a coating on a platinum mesh.
Claims12
A photochemical electrode for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a conductive member in contact with photochemically active, blackened mercuric sulfide, said mercuric sulfide initially applied to said conductive member as red mercuric sulfide and being converted to said black form upon contact of said electrode with a reducing electrolyte.
A method for converting light into electricity in a photochemical cell, comprising;
- subjecting a photochemical electrode to light in said photochemical cell additionally containing an inert counterelectrode and an electrolyte in which said electrodes are immersed, thus generating an electrical current within said cell said photochemical electrode comprising a conductive member in contact with photochemically active, blackened mercuric sulfide, said mercuric sulfide initially applied to said conductive member as red mercuric sulfide and being converted to said black form upon contact of said electrode with a reducing electrolyte.
A method of electrolysing water in a photochemical cell, comprising;
- subjecting a photochemical electrode 13 to light in said photochemical cell additionally containing an inert counterelectrode and an aqueous electrolyte in which said electrodes are immersed, thereby generating an electrical current within said cell which results in the generation of hydrogen at one of said electrodes and oxygen at the other electrode;
- and
- collecting the products of electrolysis said photochemical electrode comprising a conductive member in contact with photochemically active, blackened mercuric sulfide, said mercuric sulfide initially applied to said conductive member as red mercuric sulfide and being converted to said black form upon contact of said electrode with a reducing electrolyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.