Photoelectrochemical device containing a quantum confined silicon particle
First Claim
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1. A photoelectrochemical device for driving an electrochemical reaction comprising:
- a silicon domain having a quantum confined excitation energy band gap greater than that of bulk silicon and a size between 1 and 20 nanometers, wherein the excitation energy band gap is sufficient to induce reaction in the reactant; and
a first catalytic material in electrical contact with said silicon domain.
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Abstract
A method for reacting a molecule using light as an energy source is described which comprises exposing the molecule to a catalyst material, the catalyst material in contact with an illuminated, quantum confined silicon domain. The silicon domain having a band gap greater than bulk silicon and sufficiently large for reacting the molecule. The method is particularly useful in decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen, as well as photocatalytically degrading pollutants in a waste stream.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A photoelectrochemical device for driving an electrochemical reaction comprising:
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a silicon domain having a quantum confined excitation energy band gap greater than that of bulk silicon and a size between 1 and 20 nanometers, wherein the excitation energy band gap is sufficient to induce reaction in the reactant; and a first catalytic material in electrical contact with said silicon domain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification