Photoelectrochemical device

Abstract

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) device comprising two substrates, wherein: at least one substrates is transparent and coated with Transparent Electronic Conductor (TEC); a working electrode comprising dye sensitised porous semiconductor is formed on one substrate; a counter electrode comprising catalytic layer is formed on another substrate; electrolyte is placed between the two substrates; metallic conductor are utilized to conduct electrical current within and from the device; a protective layer of non-metallic material, with sufficient electrical conductivity to enable viable electrical output from the PEC device, is used to protect the metallic conductors from the electrolyte of the device.

1 .- 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A photoelectrochemical device comprising two substrates, wherein 
 at least one of the two substrates is transparent and coated with a transparent electronic conductor;    a working electrode comprising dye sensitised porous semiconductor is formed on one substrate;    a counter electrode comprising catalytic layer is formed on another substrate;    an electrolyte is placed between the two substrates;    metallic conductors are utilised to conduct electrical current within and from the device;    a protective layer of non-metallic material, with sufficient electrical conductivity to enable viable electrical output from the photoelectrochemical device, is used to protect the metallic conductors from the electrolyte of the device.    
   
   
       12 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 11 , wherein the metallic conductors comprise one of a metallic plate and a metallic foil.  
   
   
       13 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the metallic plate or metallic foil conducts electrical current from either the working or the counter electrode of the photoelectrochemical device.  
   
   
       14 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 11 , wherein the metallic conductor is metallic mesh.  
   
   
       15 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 14 , wherein the metallic mesh is used to electrically connect either the working or counter electrode of the device.  
   
   
       16 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 11 , wherein both the working electrode and the counter electrode are divided each into electrically isolated portions, and the metallic conductor connects at least one portion of the working electrode to a portion of the counter electrode.  
   
   
       17 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 11 , wherein the protective layer is selected from the group consisting of diamond, semimetallic or metallic nitrides, carbides, oxides, borides, phosphides, sulphides, silicides, antimonides, arsenides, tellurides and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 11 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of titanium nitride and zirconium nitride.  
   
   
       19 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 18 , wherein the carbide is boron carbide.  
   
   
       20 . The photoelectrochemical device according to  claim 18 , wherein the silicide is silicide selected from the group consisting of niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten or vanadium.