Integrated photovoltaic-electrolysis cell
First Claim
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1. An integrated photovoltaic electrolysis (IPE) cell, comprising a photovoltaic component and an electrolysis component integrated, through an interconnect design, into a single unit, wherein the photovoltaic component is comprised of:
- a superstrate or a substrate;
a transparent conducting front electrode;
one or more of photovoltaic junction(s); and
, an electrically conductive back electrode;
and wherein the electrolysis component is comprised of;
an electrolyte;
an enclosure that confines the electrolyte;
a reduction compartment for hydrogen generation;
an oxidation compartment for oxygen generation;
a cathode that is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the photovoltaic component;
such cathode is either made of or coated with a stable hydrogen generation catalyst material that has low hydrogen evolution overpotential and is electrochemically stable under reduction environment;
an anode that is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the photovoltaic component;
such anode is either made of or coated with a stable oxygen generation catalyst material that has low oxygen evolution overpotential and is electrochemically stable under oxidation environment;
an electrolyte inlet for each or both of the reduction and oxidation compartments;
an outlet for electrolyte and hydrogen in the reduction compartment; and
, an outlet for electrolyte and oxygen in the oxidation compartment.
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Abstract
A photovoltaic electrolysis (IPE) cell has a photovoltaic component and an electrolysis component which integrated, through an interconnect design, into a single unit.
72 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An integrated photovoltaic electrolysis (IPE) cell, comprising a photovoltaic component and an electrolysis component integrated, through an interconnect design, into a single unit,
wherein the photovoltaic component is comprised of: -
a superstrate or a substrate;
a transparent conducting front electrode;
one or more of photovoltaic junction(s); and
,an electrically conductive back electrode;
and wherein the electrolysis component is comprised of;
an electrolyte;
an enclosure that confines the electrolyte;
a reduction compartment for hydrogen generation;
an oxidation compartment for oxygen generation;
a cathode that is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the photovoltaic component;
such cathode is either made of or coated with a stable hydrogen generation catalyst material that has low hydrogen evolution overpotential and is electrochemically stable under reduction environment;
an anode that is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the photovoltaic component;
such anode is either made of or coated with a stable oxygen generation catalyst material that has low oxygen evolution overpotential and is electrochemically stable under oxidation environment;
an electrolyte inlet for each or both of the reduction and oxidation compartments;
an outlet for electrolyte and hydrogen in the reduction compartment; and
,an outlet for electrolyte and oxygen in the oxidation compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification