Photoelectrochemical reaction device

Abstract

A photoelectrochemical reaction device of an embodiment includes a solution tank configured to contain a first solution, a stack accommodated in the solution tank, and including a first electrode, a second electrode formed below the first electrode, a photovoltaic layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to perform charge separation by light energy from above, and a first insulating layer formed on an exposed surface of the second electrode, a tube accommodated in the solution tank, arranged above the first electrode, configured to contain a second solution, and including pores extending from an outer surface to an inner surface, and a wiring configured to electrically connect the second electrode and the tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photoelectrochemical reaction device comprising:
 a solution tank configured to contain a first solution;   a stack accommodated in the solution tank, and including a first electrode, a second electrode formed below the first electrode, a photovoltaic layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to perform charge separation by light energy from above, and a first insulating layer formed on an exposed surface of the second electrode;   a tube accommodated in the solution tank, arranged above the first electrode to face the first electrode, configured to contain a second solution, and including pores extending from an outer surface to an inner surface; and   a wiring configured to electrically connect the second electrode and the tube.   
     
     
         2 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube includes a tubular base having conductivity, and a second insulating layer formed on an outer surface of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 2 , wherein the tube further includes a reflecting layer formed on an outer surface of the second insulating layer. 
     
     
         4 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 2 , wherein the tube further includes a second catalyst layer formed on an inner surface of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 1 , wherein the stack further includes a first catalyst layer formed on an obverse surface of the first electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reflecting member formed on the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 1 , wherein the pores are filled with an ion exchange membrane. 
     
     
         8 . A photoelectrochemical reaction device comprising:
 a solution tank including a first solution tank configured to contain a first solution, and a second solution tank configured to contain a second solution;   a stack which includes a first electrode accommodated in the first solution tank, a second electrode accommodated in the second solution tank and formed below the first electrode, and a photovoltaic layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to perform charge separation by light energy from above, the stack separating the first solution tank and the second solution tank;   an ion transmitting member formed adjacent to the stack, and configured to separate the first solution tank and the second solution tank together with the stack; and   a reflecting member accommodated in the first solution tank and arranged immediately above the ion transmitting member.   
     
     
         9 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 8 , wherein the ion transmitting member includes pores extending from an obverse surface to a reverse surface of the ion transmitting member. 
     
     
         10 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 9 , wherein the pores are filled with an ion exchange membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 8 , wherein the ion transmitting member includes slits extending from an obverse surface to a reverse surface of the ion transmitting member. 
     
     
         12 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 11 , wherein the slits are filled with an ion exchange membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 8 , further comprising a first insulating layer formed on a surface of the ion transmitting member, which faces the first solution tank. 
     
     
         14 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 8 , wherein the reflecting member includes a light transmitting material and has a hollow structure. 
     
     
         15 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 14 , wherein an interior of the hollow structure of the reflecting member is coated with a metal. 
     
     
         16 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 8 , further comprising a first catalyst layer formed on an obverse surface of the first electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 8 , further comprising a second catalyst layer formed on an obverse surface of the second electrode. 
     
     
         18 . A photoelectrochemical reaction device comprising:
 a solution tank including a first solution tank configured to contain a first solution, and a second solution tank configured to contain a second solution;   a support substrate configured to separate the first solution tank and the second solution tank, and including a slit extending from an obverse surface to a reverse surface of the support substrate;   a stack including a first electrode in contact with the first solution, a second electrode in contact with the second solution and formed below the first electrode, and a photovoltaic layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to perform charge separation by light energy from above, the stack covering the slit; and   a reflecting member accommodated in the first solution tank and arranged immediately above a region of the support substrate except for the slit.   
     
     
         19 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 18 , wherein the support substrate includes pores. 
     
     
         20 . The photoelectrochemical reaction device of  claim 19 , wherein the pores are filled with an ion exchange membrane. 
     
     
         21 . A photoelectrochemical reaction device comprising:
 a solution tank including a first solution tank configured to contain a first solution, and a second solution tank configured to contain a second solution;   a stack which includes a first electrode accommodated in the first solution tank, a second electrode accommodated in the second solution tank and formed below the first electrode, and a photovoltaic layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to perform charge separation by light energy from above, the stack separating the first solution tank and the second solution tank; and   an ion transmitting member formed adjacent to the stack, and configured to separate the first solution tank and the second solution tank together with the stack,   wherein a wedge shaped recess is formed inside the first solution tank in a position immediately above the ion transmitting member.