Photoelectrochemical cell

Abstract

A photoelectrochemical cell includes a compartment divider configured to divide a container into a first compartment and a second compartment, the compartment divider having a first surface facing the first compartment and a second surface facing the second compartment, a first electrolyte in the first compartment, a second electrolyte in the second compartment, a first electrode on the first surface of the compartment divider, a second electrode on the second surface of the compartment divider, a first photocatalyst layer on the first electrode, a second photocatalyst layer on the second electrode, and a catalyst passage connecting the first compartment and the second compartment, the catalyst passage configured to control the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to flow in one direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photoelectrochemical cell comprising:
 a compartment divider configured to divide a container into a first compartment and a second compartment, the compartment divider having a first surface facing the first compartment and a second surface facing the second compartment;   a first electrolyte in the first compartment;   a second electrolyte in the second compartment;   a first electrode on the first surface of the compartment divider;   a second electrode on the second surface of the compartment divider;   a first photocatalyst layer on the first electrode;   a second photocatalyst layer on the second electrode; and   a catalyst passage connecting the first compartment and the second compartment, the catalyst passage configured to control the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to flow in one direction.   
     
     
         2 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first photocatalyst layer includes an oxidative photocatalyst, and the second photocatalyst layer includes a reductive photocatalyst. 
     
     
         3 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 2 , wherein the first photocatalyst layer includes an N-type metal compound semiconductor, and the second photocatalyst layer includes a P-type metal compound semiconductor. 
     
     
         4 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 3 , wherein the first photocatalyst layer includes TiO 2 , and the second photocatalyst layer includes Cu 2 O. 
     
     
         5 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode include at least one of a metal, a metal compound, and carbon. 
     
     
         6 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 5 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode include at least one of aluminum (Al), glassy carbon, and n-BaTiO 3 . 
     
     
         7 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment divider includes at least one of Teflon®, a rubber, and an insulating polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment divider includes a flexible material. 
     
     
         9 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first photocatalyst layer and the second photocatalyst layer has an uneven surface. 
     
     
         10 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the compartment divider is uneven. 
     
     
         11 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 10 , wherein
 the first surface and the second surface of the compartment divider are curved, and   the uneven surface of the at least one of the first photocatalyst layer and the second photocatalyst layer conforms to a shape of the first surface and the second surface of the compartment divider.   
     
     
         12 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first photocatalyst layer and the second photocatalyst layer has an inclined surface. 
     
     
         13 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the compartment divider is inclined. 
     
     
         14 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment divider, the first electrode, the second electrode, the first photocatalyst layer, and the second photocatalyst layer are incorporated into a single body. 
     
     
         15 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first electrode catalyst on a surface of the first photocatalyst layer, the first electrode contacting the first electrolyte.   
     
     
         16 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a second electrode catalyst on a surface of the second photocatalyst layer, the second electrode contacting the second electrolyte.   
     
     
         17 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 16 , wherein the first electrode catalyst and the second electrode catalyst include at least one of a metal, a metal compound, and carbon. 
     
     
         18 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first photocatalyst layer contacts the first electrolyte and the second photocatalyst layer contacts the second electrolyte. 
     
     
         19 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a micropump in the electrolyte passage, the micropump including one of a salt bridge, an electric pump, and an electroosmotic pump.   
     
     
         20 . The photoelectrochemical cell of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a conductive wire configured to connect the first electrode and the second electrode,   wherein the micropump is connected to the conductive wire.