US4064326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photo-electrochemical cell containing chalcogenide redox couple and having storage capability
Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd
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Filing: 1977-02-23
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1997-02-23
Abstract
Abstract Novel devices for the direct conversion of visible light to electricity, termed Photo Electrochemical Cell (PEC), said PEC comprising as one electrode a semiconductor of the n- or p- type of suitably wide bandgap for efficient utilization of solar energy in combination with an additional electrode and an electrolyte comprising a chalcogenide redox couple; according to a preferred embodiment, the additional electrode being a storage electrode adapted to supply converted energy as electricity when the photoelectrode is not illuminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Joost Manassen
- 👤 Gary Hodes
- 👤 David Ferdinand Cahen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M14/00; H01M14/005; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A photo-electrochemical cell comprising as the photoactive electrode a semi-conductor of n- or p-type of suitable bandgap for efficient utilization of solar energy in combination with an additional electrode and an electrolyte comprising a chalcogenide redox couple chosen from S/S -- , Se/Se -- , and Te/Te -- ;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A photo-electrochemical cell comprising as the photoactive electrode a semi-conductor of n- or p-type of suitable bandgap for efficient utilization of solar energy in combination with an additional electrode and an electrolyte comprising a chalcogenide redox couple chosen from S/S -- , Se/Se -- , and Te/Te -- ;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cell according to claim 1, wherein the semi-conductor electrode comprises a layer of photo-active semi-conductor material applied to an electrically conductive substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cell according to claim 2, wherein the active material of said the photoelectrode is chosen from CdS, Bi 2 S 3 , CdSe, CdTe, ZnSe, and CuInS 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cell according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for preventing access of oxygen to the electrolyte system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell according to claim 4, wherein the additional electrode is made of an inert material of high surface area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cell according to claim 4, wherein the additional electrode comprises carbon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cell according to claim 6, wherein the additional carbon electrode contains an electrocatalyst.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell according to claim 7, wherein said electrocatalyst is chosen from Pd, Co, and Ni salts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cell according to claim 8, wherein said electrocatalyst salt is on an electrochemically inert conducting base of stainless steel gauze.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cell according to claim 4, wherein the photoactive electrode comprises a CdSe layer in contact with a S/S -- containing aqueous or organic conducting electrolyte.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cell according to claim 1, wherein the additional electrode is a storage electrode adapted to supply any part of the converted energy as electricity when the photoactive electrode is not illuminated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell according to claim 9, wherein the storage electrode comprises a reversible redox system, having a redox potential between that of the redox couple in the electrolyte and the photopotential obtained on illumination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cell according to claim 11, wherein the storage electrode is adapted to undergo a reversible redox reaction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell according to claim 11, wherein the storage electrode is in contact with an electrolyte containing a component adapted to undergo a reversible redox reaction, adapted to store electrical energy for subsequent use.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cell according to claim 11, wherein the storage electrode is provided in a storage compartment separated from the electrolyte system of the electrodes by a cation-selective conducting partition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell according to claim 11, wherein the storage electrodes and storage compartment solutions are as defined in Table 5.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cell according to claim 1, wherein there is further provided a storage electrode as herein defined which is immersed in the electrolyte and which is electrically connected with the photoactive electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cell according to claim 17, wherein the connection between the storage electrode and the photoactive electrode is via means providing for current flow from the photoactive electrode to the storage electrode only.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |