Photoelectrochemical cell Information & Photoelectrochemical cell Links at HealthHaven.com

Photoelectrochemical cells or PECs are solar cells which generate electrical energy from light, including visible light. Each cell consists of a semiconducting photoanode and a metal cathode immersed in an electrolyte. Some photoelectrochemical cells simply produce electrical energy, while others produce hydrogen in a process similar to the electrolysis of water.

[edit] Photogeneration cell

In this type of photoelectrochemical cell, electrolysis of water to hydrogen and oxygen gas occurs when the anode is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. This is also referred to as artificial photosynthesis and has been suggested as a way of storing solar energy in an energy carrier, namely hydrogen. This hydrogen can then be used as fuel^[1].

There are two types of photochemical systems with photocatalysis, one that use semiconductor surfaces as catalysts (the semiconductor surface absorbs solar energy and acts as an electrode for water splitting) the other uses in-solution metal complexes as catalysts (When the dissolved metal complex absorbs energy, it creates an electric charge separation that drives the water-splitting reaction)^[2]^[3].

The photogeneration cells passed the 10 percent economic efficiency barrier. Lab tests confirmed the efficiency of the process. The main problem is the corrosion of the semiconductors which are in direct contact with water^[4]. Research is going on to meet the United States Department of Energy requirement, a service life of 10000 hours^[5].

[edit] Graetzel cell

For more details on this topic, see dye-sensitized solar cells.

Graetzel cells or dye-sensitized solar cells; these cells use dye-adsorbed highly porous nanocrystalline titanium oxide (nc-TiO₂) to produce electrical energy.

[edit] History

1967 Akira Fujishima discovers the Honda-Fujishima effect.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/pdfs/41568.pdf Photoelectrochemical Water Systems for H2 Production
^ Assessing the Feasibility of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Hawaii Pag.3
^ Photoelectrochemical Characterization and Durability Analysis of GaInPN Epilayers
^ 2006 - Slac
^ Direct Water Splitting Under Visible Light with a Nanostructured Photoanode and GaInP2 Photocathode

[edit] External links

[0] ttp://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/pdfs/41568.pdf Photoelectrochemical Water Systems for H2 Production

[1] Assessing the Feasibility of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Hawaii Pag.3

[2] Photoelectrochemical Characterization and Durability Analysis of GaInPN Epilayers

[3] 2006 - Slac

[4] Direct Water Splitting Under Visible Light with a Nanostructured Photoanode and GaInP2 Photocathode

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