Artificial-photosynthesis module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016281242-A1
Application number	US-201615178962-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 10, 2016
Priority date	Dec 13, 2013
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided is an artificial-photosynthesis module, which decomposes an aqueous electrolyte solution into hydrogen and oxygen by means of light, including a photoelectric conversion unit that receives light to generate electrical energy; a hydrogen gas generating part that decomposes the aqueous electrolyte solution, using the electrical energy of the photoelectric conversion unit, and generates hydrogen gas; and an oxygen gas generating part that decomposes the aqueous electrolyte solution, using the electrical energy of the photoelectric conversion unit, and generates oxygen gas. The photoelectric conversion unit, the hydrogen gas generating part, and the oxygen gas generating part are electrically connected in series, and the hydrogen gas generating part and the oxygen gas generating part are arranged within an electrolytic chamber to which the aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied. The hydrogen gas generating part has an inorganic semiconductor film having a pn junction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An artificial-photosynthesis module that decomposes an aqueous electrolyte solution into hydrogen and oxygen by means of light, the artificial-photosynthesis module comprising:
a photoelectric conversion unit that receives light to generate electrical energy; a hydrogen gas generating part that decomposes the aqueous electrolyte solution, using the electrical energy of the photoelectric conversion unit, and generates hydrogen gas; and an oxygen gas generating part that decomposes the aqueous electrolyte solution, using the electrical energy of the photoelectric conversion unit, and generates oxygen gas, wherein the photoelectric conversion unit, the hydrogen gas generating part, and the oxygen gas generating part are electrically connected in series, and the hydrogen gas generating part and the oxygen gas generating part are arranged within an electrolytic chamber to which the aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied, and wherein the hydrogen gas generating part has an inorganic semiconductor film having a pn junction.

2 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 1 ,
wherein the hydrogen gas generating part and the oxygen gas generating part are provided on the same plane.

3 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 1 ,
wherein the hydrogen gas generating part and the oxygen gas generating part are provided on mutually different planes.

4 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 1 ,
wherein a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements of the photoelectric conversion unit are connected in series.

5 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 2 ,
wherein a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements of the photoelectric conversion unit are connected in series.

6 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 3 ,
wherein a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements of the photoelectric conversion unit are connected in series.

7 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 4 ,
wherein each of the photoelectric conversion elements includes an inorganic semiconductor film having a pn junction.

8 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 7 ,
wherein the inorganic semiconductor film includes a CIGS compound semiconductor.

9 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 7 ,
wherein the inorganic semiconductor film includes a CZTS compound semiconductor.

10 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 1 ,
wherein the inorganic semiconductor film of the hydrogen gas generating part is covered with a functional layer, and the functional layer is insoluble in a weak acidic solution and a weak alkaline solution, and has all light permeability, water impermeability, and conductivity.

11 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 2 ,
wherein the inorganic semiconductor film of the hydrogen gas generating part is covered with a functional layer, and the functional layer is insoluble in a weak acidic solution and a weak alkaline solution, and has all light permeability, water impermeability, and conductivity.

12 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 3 ,
wherein the inorganic semiconductor film of the hydrogen gas generating part is covered with a functional layer, and the functional layer is insoluble in a weak acidic solution and a weak alkaline solution, and has all light permeability, water impermeability, and conductivity.

13 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 10 ,
wherein the functional layer has a co-catalyst provided on the surface thereof, and the co-catalyst is made of Pt, a substance containing Pt, or Rh.

14 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 1 ,
wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is covered with a protective layer, and the protective layer is insoluble in a weak acidic solution and a weak alkaline solution, and has all of light permeability, water impermeability, and insulation.

15 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 2 ,
wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is covered with a protective layer, and the protective layer is insoluble in a weak acidic solution and a weak alkaline solution, and has all of light permeability, water impermeability, and insulation.

16 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 3 ,
wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is covered with a protective layer, and the protective layer is insoluble in a weak acidic solution and a weak alkaline solution, and has all of light permeability, water impermeability, and insulation.

17 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 1 ,
wherein a co-catalyst is provided in the oxygen gas generating part, and the co-catalyst for the oxygen generation is made of CoO x or IrO 2 .

18 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 2 ,
wherein a co-catalyst is provided in the oxygen gas generating part, and the co-catalyst for the oxygen generation is made of CoO x or IrO 2 .

19 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 4 ,
wherein when the photoelectric conversion unit is irradiated with light, the amounts of generated currents generated in the respective photoelectric conversion elements are equal in the respective photoelectric conversion elements.

20 . The artificial-photosynthesis module according to claim 7 ,
wherein when the photoelectric conversion unit is irradiated with light, the amounts of generated currents generated in the respective photoelectric conversion elements are equal in the respective photoelectric conversion elements.

Assignees

• Fujifilm Corp
• Japan Tech Res Ass Of Artificial Photosynthetic Chemical Process
• Univ Tokyo

Inventors

• Sato Naotoshi
• Domen Kazunari
• Tsukahara Jiro

Classifications

• C25B1/04

  by electrolysis of water · CPC title

• Y02E10/541

  CuInSe2 material PV cells · CPC title

• C25B15/08

  Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes · CPC title

• C25B15/02

  Process control or regulation · CPC title

• H10F77/128

  comprising only Group I-II-IV-VI kesterite materials, e.g. Cu2ZnSnSe4 or Cu2ZnSnS4 · CPC title