Semiconductor septum electrochemical photovoltaic cell

We report the use of semiconductor septum electrochemical photovoltaic (SC-SEP) cell, modeled after green plant photosynthesis, in an application of solar energy conversion. A SC-SEP cell consists of a thin film of CdSe deposited on a metallic substrate (Ti, Ni, or stainless steel) as a bipolar septum electrode separating two aqueous solutions. It has been established that, upon irradiation of the septum electrode with visible light of the solar spectrum, photogenerated electron-hole pairs are separated under the influence of electric held. On the side of the septum electrode facing the light, the most powerful oxidant (holes) will oxidize species in the bathing solution, while the most powerful reducing agent (electrons) present on the dark side will carry out reduction of heavy metal ions or evolve hydrogen from aqueous solutions including seawater. Specifically, we report the use of photon energy generated electrons and 'holes' for the cleavage water to hydrogen and/or valuable chemicals in SC-SEP cells.