Photoelectrochemical device and electrode
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsThomas L Gibson, Nelson A Kelly
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Abstract
In one aspect, the invention provides a photoelectrochemical (PEC) electrode or photoelectrode for use in splitting water by electrolysis. The photoelectrode has an electrically conductive surface in contact with an electrolyte solution. This surface is a doped tin oxide layer, which is in electrical contact with the semiconductor solar cell material of the PEC photoelectrode. In a variation of the present invention, another layer of metal oxide having transparent, anti-reflective, and conductive properties is disposed between the doped tin oxide layer and the semiconductor material.
Claims30
A photoelectrode comprising a semiconductor layer having a first major surface in contact with an electrically conductive substrate, a second major surface in contact with a transparent, electrically conductive metal oxide (TCO) layer, a transparent, electrically conductive doped tin oxide (SnO2) layer adjacent said second major surface, said doped SnO layer arranged in electrically conductive contact with said TCO layer.
A photoelectrode comprising a semiconductor layer having a first major surface in contact with an electrically conductive substrate and a second major surface in contact with a transparent, electrically conductive doped tin oxide (SnO2) layer;
- wherein said semiconductor layer comprises photovoltaic, amorphous, silicon n-i-p material having said doped SnO2 layer in contact with p of said n-i-p.
A photoelectrochemical device for electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen comprising:
- a container housing a photoelectrode, a counter electrode and an electrolyte solution, said photoelectrode and said counter electrode spaced apart from one another in said container and each being in contact with said electrolyte solution;
- a photoelectrode comprising:
- a semiconductor layer having a first major surface in contact with an electrically conductive substrate and a second major surface coated with a first conductive layer;
- said first conductive layer comprising a first metal oxide which is transparent, anti-reflective and electrically conductive;
- a second conductive layer comprising a second metal oxide which is transparent and electrically conductive;
- said second conductive layer adjacent to said second major surface and arranged in electrically conductive contact with said first conductive layer;
- and said second conductive layer being more stable in basic solutions than said first conductive layer;
- said counter electrode comprising a metal;
- said solution comprising a solvent which comprises water and a solute which comprises a base;
- and
- an electrically conductive path between said photoelectrode and said counter electrode.
A photoelectrode comprising:
- a semiconductor layer having a first major surface in contact with an electrically conductive substrate and a second major surface coated with a first conductive layer;
- said first conductive layer comprising a first metal oxide which is transparent, anti-reflective and electrically conductive;
- a second conductive layer comprising a second metal oxide which is transparent and electrically conductive;
- said second conductive layer adjacent to said second major surface and arranged in electrically conductive contact with said first conductive layer;
- and said second conductive layer being more stable in basic solutions than said first conductive layer.
A photoelectrode comprising a semiconductor layer having a first major surface in contact with an electrically conductive substrate, a second major surface in contact with a transparent, electrically conductive metal oxide (TCO) layer, and a peripheral, surface defined by a thickness between said major surfaces of said semiconductor layer;
- an electrically conductive material in contact with at least a portion of said peripheral surface of said semiconductor layer and in contact with said TCO layer;
- and
- a transparent insulative layer adjacent said TCO layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.