Photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructures

摘要

A two-step process, consisting of a photoelectrosynthetic process combined with a thermochemical process, is configured to produce a reduction product (e.g., methane gas, methanol, or carbon monoxide) from carbon dioxide and liquid waste streams. In a first step, photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructures (PAHs) and sunlight are used to drive oxidation/reduction reactions in which one primary product is hydrogen gas. In the second step, hydrogen generated in the first step is thermally catalytically reacted with carbon dioxide to form a reduction product from carbon dioxide (e.g., CO, formaldehyde, methane, or methanol). Synthesis gas (CO and H2) can be further reacted to form alkanes. The methods and systems may employ PAHs known in the art or improved PAHs having lower costs, improved stability, solar energy conversion efficiency, and/or other desired attributes as disclosed herein.

主权项

1. A photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure (PAH), comprising:
a continuous sheet-like material forming or supporting a protective structure having a plurality of cavities defining electrically insulating partitions; a plurality of independent light absorbing units, each including one or more types or regions of n-type or p-type semiconductor material, each independent light absorbing unit being disposed entirely within a cavity of the protective structure such that the protective structure partially covers and protects the semiconductor material of each independent light absorbing unit from corrosion, and such that each independent light absorbing unit is separated from and independent of other light absorbing units of the PAH; one or more cathodes coupled to the independent light absorbing units; one or more anodes coupled to the independent light absorbing units and being isolated from the one or more cathodes so that each independent light absorbing unit is autonomous from other light absorbing units; and a hydrogen permeable layer covering the one or more cathodes.