METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING PHOTOELECTROSYNTHETICALLY ACTIVE HETEROSTRUCTURES
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure, comprising:
- forming or providing one or more cavities in an electrically insulating material;
forming or providing a layer of an electrically conductive metal on one side of the electrically insulating material;
depositing an electrocatalyst cathode layer in the one or more cavities;
depositing one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the one or more cavities;
depositing an electrocatalyst anode layer in the one or more cavities;
removing the layer of electrically conductive metal; and
forming a hydrogen permeable layer over the electrocatalyst cathode layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure (PAH) is manufactured by forming or providing cavities in an electrically insulating material; forming or providing an electrically conductive layer on a side of the electrically insulating material; depositing an electrocatalyst cathode layer in the cavities; depositing one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the cavities; depositing an electrocatalyst anode layer in the cavities; removing the layer of electrically conductive metal; and forming a hydrogen permeable layer over the electrocatalyst cathode layer. The one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material can form a p-n junction or Schottky junction. The PAH can be used in photoelectrosynthetic processes to produce desired products, such as reduction product (e.g., methane gas, methanol, or carbon monoxide) from carbon dioxide and liquid waste streams.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure, comprising:
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forming or providing one or more cavities in an electrically insulating material; forming or providing a layer of an electrically conductive metal on one side of the electrically insulating material; depositing an electrocatalyst cathode layer in the one or more cavities; depositing one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the one or more cavities; depositing an electrocatalyst anode layer in the one or more cavities; removing the layer of electrically conductive metal; and forming a hydrogen permeable layer over the electrocatalyst cathode layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
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18. A method of manufacturing a photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure, comprising:
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forming or providing a protective membrane comprising an electrically insulating sheet and an array of cavities in the electrically insulating sheet; forming or providing an electrically conductive metal layer on one side of the electrically insulating sheet; depositing by electrodeposition, vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or atomic layer vapor deposition an electrocatalyst cathode layer in the array of cavities; depositing by electrodeposition, vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or atomic layer vapor deposition one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the array of cavities; depositing by electrodeposition, vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or atomic layer vapor deposition an electrocatalyst anode layer in the array of cavities; and removing the electrically conductive metal layer from the electrically insulating sheet.
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20. A method of manufacturing a photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure, comprising:
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forming or providing a protective membrane comprising anodized aluminum oxide and an array of nanosized pores in the protective membrane; forming or providing an electrically conductive metal layer on one side of the protective membrane; electrodepositing an electrocatalyst cathode material in the array of nanosized pores; electrodepositing one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the array of nanosized pores; electrodepositing an electrocatalyst anode material in the array of nanosized pores; and removing the electrically conductive metal layer from the protective membrane.
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Specification