The present disclosure provides a semiconductor compound, which includes a metal complex unit and a conjugate unit. The metal complex unit includes a coordination center and a plurality of ligands. The coordination center is a metal ion or a metal atom, and the ligands are linked with the coordination center. The conjugate unit is linked with the metal complex unit by covalent bond.

A CaTiO.sub.3TiO.sub.2 composite electrode and method of making is described. The composite electrode comprises a substrate with an average 2-12 m thick layer of CaTiO.sub.3TiO.sub.2 composite particles having average diameters of 0.2-2.2 m. The method of making the composite electrode involves contacting the substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent, a calcium complex, and a titanium complex. The CaTiO.sub.3TiO.sub.2 composite electrode is capable of being used in a photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting.

Photoelectrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran.

Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or 2,5-diformylfuran.

The invention relates to the use of a ternary alloy having the formula Si.sub.xTi.sub.yNi.sub.z, wherein x, y and z are natural numbers, for use in electrolysis and photoelectrolysis, in particular photo-oxidation of water. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for the manufacture of an electrode, the method comprising a step of heating a carrier comprising a surface having a layer of silicon on which a layer of TiO.sub.2 is disposed, the layer of TiO.sub.2 being covered with a layer of NiO; the heating step being carried out at a temperature above 1,000 C., and preferably between 1,150 C. and 1,250 C. The invention also relates to an electrode comprising a carrier, said electrode having either: an outer surface on which particles of a ternary alloy having the formula Si.sub.xTi.sub.yNi.sub.z are positioned, wherein x, y and z are natural numbers, and wherein the particles form protrusions; or an outer surface consisting of a layer of said alloy, the layer comprising protrusions.

The invention relates to the use of a ternary alloy having the formula Si.sub.xTi.sub.yNi.sub.z, wherein x, y and z are natural numbers, for use in electrolysis and photoelectrolysis, in particular photo-oxidation of water. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for the manufacture of an electrode, the method comprising a step of heating a carrier comprising a surface having a layer of silicon on which a layer of TiO.sub.2 is disposed, the layer of TiO.sub.2 being covered with a layer of NiO; the heating step being carried out at a temperature above 1,000 C., and preferably between 1,150 C. and 1,250 C. The invention also relates to an electrode comprising a carrier, said electrode having either: an outer surface on which particles of a ternary alloy having the formula Si.sub.xTi.sub.yNi.sub.z are positioned, wherein x, y and z are natural numbers, and wherein the particles form protrusions; or an outer surface consisting of a layer of said alloy, the layer comprising protrusions.

A three-dimensional photo/electrodialysis unit includes four compartments. A first compartment holds a three-dimensional electrode and a group of one or more electrochemically active redox species. A first electroactive cation selective membrane couples the first compartment to a second compartment that provides a first feedstock. An electroactive anion selective membrane couples the second compartment to a third compartment that provides a second feedstock. And a second electroactive cation selective membrane couples the third compartment to a fourth compartment

Provided are a photocatalyst, a method for preparing the same, and a water splitting apparatus including the same. Without using an additional device, a photoelectrode with improved current density may be obtained through visible light absorption using the upconversion.

The invention pertains to a method for efficiently spitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using a nanocomposite that includes ((BiVO.sub.4).sub.x(TiO.sub.2).sub.1-x, wherein x ranges from 0.08 to 0.12, and optionally silver nanoparticles; methods for making a nanocomposite used in this method by a simple solvothermal method; and to photoanodes and photoelectrochemical cells and devices containing the nanocomposites.

The present invention relates to an inorganic pigment with the function of a catalyst that can be activated by light from the entire visible spectrum but also in the absence of light, to a process for obtaining it, to various formulations containing this inorganic pigment and its use. The present invention also provides a method of destroying pathogens represented by irradiating with electromagnetic radiation from the entire visible spectrum (400 nm-700 nm) the surfaces on which they have been applied -formulations containing the inorganic pigment. Additionally, the invention provides the use of the pigment disclosed herein for its catalytic, bactericidal, virucidal and de-pollution activity in the absence of light.