Photoelectrochemical device containing a quantum confined group IV semiconductor nanoparticle
OwnerAvery N. Goldsteininventor
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Abstract
A process for reacting a molecule using light as an energy source is described which comprises exposing the molecule to a catalyst material, the catalyst material in contact with an illuminated, quantum confined Group IV semiconductor domain of silicon or germanium. The Group IV semiconductor domain having a band gap greater than bulk silicon and sufficiently large for reacting the molecule. The process is particularly useful in decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen, as well as photocatalytically degrading pollutants in a waste stream. A device based on a Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles for conducting photo electrochemistry is also disclosed.
Claims11
A photolytic process for the reaction of a molecule comprising the steps of:
- exposing a Group IV semiconductor domain possessing a quantum confined energy band gap, greater than that of a bulk of said Group IV semiconductor domain and having a size between 1 and 50 nanometers, the surface of said domain in electrical contact with at least one catalytic material to photons of an energy equal to or greater than the energy band gap of said Group IV semiconductor domain, and greater than the energy sufficient for the reaction of said molecule;
- and
- placing said molecule in contact with said catalytic material.
A photolytic process for the reaction of a molecule comprising the steps of:
- exposing a Group IV semiconductor domain possessing a quantum confined energy band gap, greater than that of a bulk of said Group IV semiconductor domain and having a size between 1 and 50 nanometers, the surface of said domain in electrical contact with at least one catalytic material to photons of an energy equal to or greater than the energy band gap of said Group IV semiconductor domain, and greater than the energy sufficient for the reaction of said molecule;
- placing said molecule in contact with said catalytic material;
- and
- derivatizing said catalytic material with a receptor molecule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.