Capillary photoelectrode structures for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic cells

摘要

Photocatalytic structures having a capillary-force based electrolyte delivery system are provided. Also provided are photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic cells incorporating the structures and methods for using the cells to generate hydrogen and/or oxygen from water. The photocatalytic structures use an electrolyte-transporting strip comprising a porous network of cellulose nanofibers to transport electrolyte from a body of the electrolyte to a porous photoelectrode or a porous photocatalytic substrate via capillary force.

主权项

1. A photoelectrochemical cell comprising:
(a) a body of electrolyte; (b) a capillary photoelectrode structure comprising:
an electrolyte-transporting strip comprising a porous network of cellulose nanofibers; anda working electrode comprising a porous photocatalytic material;wherein the electrolyte-transporting strip separates the body of electrolyte from the porous photocatalytic material and is configured to transport electrolyte from the body of electrolyte to the porous photocatalytic material via capillary force; and (c) a counter electrode in electrical communication with the working electrode.