SYSTEM FOR INCREASING EFFICIENCY OF SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOCATALYSTS EMPLOYING A HIGH SURFACE AREA SUBSTRATE

摘要

A system for energy production may include a photoactive material with photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN) and plasmonic nanoparticles over a high surface area gridded substrate for increasing light harvesting efficiency. The formation of PCCN may include a semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis and an exchange of organic capping agents with inorganic capping agents. Additionally, the PCCN may be deposited between the plasmonic nanoparticles, and may act as photocatalysts for redox reactions. The photoactive material may be used in a plurality of photocatalytic energy conversion applications such as water splitting or CO2 reduction. Higher light harvesting and energy conversion efficiency may be achieved by combining the plasmonic nanoparticles and PCCN over the high surface area gridded substrate. The system may also include elements necessary to collect, transfer and store hydrogen and oxygen, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.

主权项

1. A photoactive material comprising:
a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises:
a first set of substantially parallel wires extending in a first direction;a first piezoelectric actuator coupled to the first set of wires at a first end of the first set of wires;a second piezoelectric actuator coupled to the first set of wires at a second end of the first set of wires;a second set of substantially parallel wires extending in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction;a third piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second set of wires at a first end of the second set of wires; anda fourth piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second set of wires at a second end of the second set of wires; a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles deposited on the substrate, wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles create an electric field between two adjacent plasmonic nanoparticles when absorbing light; and a plurality of photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals deposited on the substrate, wherein each photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystal is deposited between at least two plasmonic nanoparticles.