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Methods for manufacturing photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructures

  • US 9,935,234 B2
  • Filed: 01/27/2017
  • Issued: 04/03/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing a photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure, comprising:

  • forming or providing a plurality of nanosized 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 plurality of cavities to form a plurality of cathodes;

    depositing one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the plurality of cavities;

    depositing an electrocatalyst anode layer in the plurality of cavities to form a plurality of anodes;

    removing the layer of electrically conductive metal; and

    forming a hydrogen permeable layer over the electrocatalyst cathode layer,wherein the plurality of nanosized cavities are spaced so as to form a plurality of independent light absorbing units, andwherein the electrocatalyst anode layer is coupled to the independent light absorbing units and is isolated from the electrocatalyst cathode layer so that each independent light absorbing unit is autonomous from other light absorbing units.

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