Abstract
A simple new device configuration for the conversion of optical energy into chemical energy is described. The devices, designated ’’photochemical diodes’’, consist of small sandwichlike semiconductor structures. When immersed in an appropriate electrolyte and exposed to light, such devices cause redox reactions to occur, such as the decomposition of water, and the oxidation of sulfide ions to form sulfur. Certain configurations result in up-conversion of the incident photon energy and appear to represent an inorganic analog of photosynthesis.
Keywords
DiodeSemiconductorPhotochemistryEnergy transformationOptoelectronicsElectrolyteSulfideDecompositionIonRedoxPhotoelectrochemistryChemistryMaterials scienceSulfurChemical energyInorganic chemistryElectrochemistryElectrodePhysical chemistryPhysics
Related Publications
Cobalt in Nitrogen-Doped Graphene as Single-Atom Catalyst for High-Sulfur Content Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Because of their high theoretical energy density and low cost, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising next-generation energy storage devices. The electrochemical performa...
Thermodynamic Potential for the Anodic Dissolution of n‐Type Semiconductors: A Crucial Factor Controlling Durability and Efficiency in Photoelectrochemical Cells and an Important Criterion in the Selection of New Electrode/Electrolyte Systems
We show that the standard potential for anodic dissolution, , of n‐type semiconductors (e.g., for is + 0.08V vs SCE) plays a key role in ultimate efficiency of thermodynamically...
Mechanistic studies of light-induced charge separation at semiconductor/liquid interfaces
The energy crisis of the early 1970s stimulated numerous \ninvestigations of semiconductor/liquid junctions for the conversion and storage of solar energy. Although similar ...
A High Capacity Calcium Primary Cell Based on the Ca–S System
Abstract Conversion reaction cells afford the ability to explore new energy storage paradigms that transcend the dogma of small, low‐charge cations essential to intercalative pr...
Morphological and Structural Studies of Composite Sulfur Electrodes upon Cycling by HRTEM, AFM and Raman Spectroscopy
In this work, structural and morphological changes in composite sulfur electrodes were studied due to their cycling in rechargeable Li–S cells produced by Sion Power Inc. Compos...
Publication Info
- Year
- 1977
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 567-569
- Citations
- 324
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
324
OpenAlex
Cite This
Arthur J. Nozik
(1977).
Photochemical diodes.
Applied Physics Letters
, 30
(11)
, 567-569.
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.89262
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1063/1.89262