Device for hydrogen and electricity production

Thus, there is a need in the art for an operational device that under sunlight does generate hydrogen from ambient air humidity. Present invention provides such solution, without any water oxidation co-catalyst (e.g. IrRuOx), by a hydrogen generating device comprising at least one semiconductor photoanode which surprisingly performs the water oxidation without back reaction and without deteriorated photoefficiency. In a particular embodiments this device to improve efficiency under ambient conditions of air and sunlight comprises an illumination controller, such controller can be 1) an illumination intensity controller, 2) a filter to filter out visible light to reduce dehydration or heating up and/or 3) a switch (illumination / non- illumination switch) to let follow in succession periods of illumination of the at least one semiconductor photoanode with periods of non-illumination (darkness) of the at least one semiconductor photoanode. In yet another embodiment the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprises incorporating hygroscopic silica. By introducing dark periods are switched with illuminations periods for instance of ca. 200- 1000s of illumination high photocuiTents are retained. The semiconductor photoanode hydrogen generating device of present invention, without water oxidation co-catalyst can combine any of the illumination controllers with the hygroscopic silica comprised in the MEA.

Octrooi-publicatienummer: EP3027788

Jaar aanvraag: 2019

Jaar toekenning: 2019

Jaar van publicatie: 2019

Status: Toegewezen

Technologiedomeinen: Oppervlaktetechniek, coating, Chemische ingenieurswetenschappen en techniek

Gevalideerd voor IOF-sleutel: Ja

Toegewezen aan: Associatie KULeuven