ELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN WITH DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL-BASED ANODE

摘要

Electrochemical systems and methods for producing hydrogen. Generally, the systems and methods involve providing an electrochemical cell that includes an anolyte compartment holding a photo anode in contact with an anolyte, wherein the anolyte includes an alkali metal iodide. The photo anode includes anode components of a dye-sensitized solar cell. The cell further includes a catholyte compartment holding a cathode in contact with a catholyte that includes a substance that reduces to form hydrogen. Additionally, the cell includes an alkali cation conductive membrane that separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment. As the photo anode is irradiated, iodide ions are oxidized to form molecular iodine or triiodide ions and electrons pass to the cathode form hydrogen. Apparatus and methods to regenerate the alkali metal iodide are disclosed.