Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water, or for producing less-complex constituents from a more-complex compound, more particularly, for decomposing chemical bonds of a compound using resonant electromagnetic (EM) waves such as sunlight.

Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water, or for producing less-complex constituents from a more-complex compound, more particularly, for decomposing chemical bonds of a compound using resonant electromagnetic (EM) waves such as sunlight.

A bismuth-doped bismuth phosphate photoelectrode modified by titanium carbide and a preparation method are provided. A first chitosan coating and a second chitosan coating both show electropositivity, and a two-dimensional Ti.sub.3C.sub.2 coating shows electronegativity, wherein the bismuth-doped bismuth phosphate photoelectrode modified by two-dimensional Ti.sub.3C.sub.2 is prepared by an electrostatic self-assembly method. The method is efficient, environment friendly and has simple operation steps; no precious metals are doped in reactions, and no pollutants are produced in reaction processes to meet a requirement of environmental protection; and the method has positive significance for putting the bismuth-doped bismuth phosphate photoelectrode modified by the titanium carbide into actual production. The bismuth-doped bismuth phosphate photoelectrode enhances synergistic effect of electrons and delays recombination time of photo-induced electrons and hole pairs. A photocurrent response value of the bismuth-doped bismuth phosphate photoelectrode is about 410 times a photocurrent response value of a pure bismuth-doped bismuth phosphate photoelectrode.

A photoelectrode is provided. The photoelectrode includes a transparent substrate. The photoelectrode further includes a layer of crystalline hematite nanoparticles at least partially covering a surface of the transparent substrate. The photoelectrode further includes a phosphate ions (Pi) interfacial layer coated on a surface of the layer of crystalline hematite nanoparticles. The photoelectrode further includes a plurality of CoFe-Prussian blue analogues (CoFe-PBA) particles uniformly disposed on a surface of the phosphate (Pi) interfacial layer. Methods of making the photoelectrode and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting are also provided.

A photoelectrode is provided. The photoelectrode includes a transparent substrate. The photoelectrode further includes a layer of crystalline hematite nanoparticles at least partially covering a surface of the transparent substrate. The photoelectrode further includes a phosphate ions (Pi) interfacial layer coated on a surface of the layer of crystalline hematite nanoparticles. The photoelectrode further includes a plurality of CoFe-Prussian blue analogues (CoFe-PBA) particles uniformly disposed on a surface of the phosphate (Pi) interfacial layer. Methods of making the photoelectrode and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting are also provided.

Disclosed herein are photoelectrodes and methods of making and use thereof. For example, disclosed herein are photo-electrodes comprising: a light absorbing layer; an insulator layer disposed on the light absorbing layer, wherein the insulator layer has an average thickness of 20 nanometers (nm) or more; and a set of protrusions, wherein each protrusion penetrates through the insulator layer to the light absorbing layer, such that each protrusion is in physical and electrical contact with the light absorbing layer; and a plurality of particles disposed on the insulator layer, wherein a least a portion of the plurality of particles are in physical and electrical contact with at least a portion of the set of protrusions; and wherein the plurality of particles and optionally the set of protrusions comprise a catalyst material.

A photocatalytic apparatus is provided that uses a photovoltaic action for both electrodes and conjugates a photocatalytic action with the photovoltaic action to efficiently perform material transformation on the basis of a redox reaction on the electrodes using light energy. A photocatalytic apparatus includes a first electrode functioning as an anode and a second electrode functioning as a cathode. The first electrode includes a first transparent conductive substrate having light transmittivity and electrical conductivity, a first light power generation layer that is disposed on the first transparent conductive substrate and absorbs light to generate electrons and holes, and a photocatalytic layer that is disposed on the first light power generation layer and catalyzes an oxidation reaction when being irradiated with light. The second electrode includes a second transparent conductive substrate having light transmittivity and electrical conductivity, a second light power generation layer that is disposed on the second transparent conductive substrate and absorbs light to generate electrons and holes, and a catalytic layer that is disposed on the second light power generation layer and catalyzes a reduction reaction.

A photocatalytic apparatus is provided that uses a photovoltaic action for both electrodes and conjugates a photocatalytic action with the photovoltaic action to efficiently perform material transformation on the basis of a redox reaction on the electrodes using light energy. A photocatalytic apparatus includes a first electrode functioning as an anode and a second electrode functioning as a cathode. The first electrode includes a first transparent conductive substrate having light transmittivity and electrical conductivity, a first light power generation layer that is disposed on the first transparent conductive substrate and absorbs light to generate electrons and holes, and a photocatalytic layer that is disposed on the first light power generation layer and catalyzes an oxidation reaction when being irradiated with light. The second electrode includes a second transparent conductive substrate having light transmittivity and electrical conductivity, a second light power generation layer that is disposed on the second transparent conductive substrate and absorbs light to generate electrons and holes, and a catalytic layer that is disposed on the second light power generation layer and catalyzes a reduction reaction.

The present disclosure discloses an electrode (300, 400, 500). The electrode (300, 400, 500) includes a substrate (302). Further, the electrode (300, 400, 500) includes a first conducting layer (304) disposed on the substrate (302). The first conducting layer (304) is formed of at least one of an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and a Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO). The electrode (300, 400, 500) also includes at least one semiconductor layer (308, 502) disposed on the first conducting layer (304). Further, the electrode (300, 400, 500) includes at least one connector (120, 402, 504) distributed across the first conducting layer (304) and adapted to conduct an electric current from the electrode (300, 400, 500).

Improvement in the efficiency of carbon dioxide reduction reaction is achieved. A gas supply unit having a plurality of pores is established in a lower portion of a reduction chamber, and carbon dioxide is supplied as bubbles into an aqueous solution. This can elevate a concentration of carbon dioxide dissolved in the aqueous solution without stirring the aqueous solution using a stirring bar, and render the concentration uniform in the aqueous solution. Therefore, the efficiency of reduction reaction of carbon dioxide in a reduction electrode can be improved.