Toto Ltd.

Japan Technological Research Association of Artificial Photosynthesis Chemical Process

The University of Tokyo

Hiromasa Tokudome

Sayuri Okunaka

Kazunari Domen

Makoto Bekki

Shuji Sonezaki

Naoya Takeuchi

Hiroyuki Fujii

Takashi Hisatomi

Koki Kanehira

Yumi Ogami

Koji Okubo

Qingxin Jia

Kyoko Kataoka

Hiroshi Ishikawa

Yumi Osaki

Yoko Yamada

Masahiro Miyauchi

Qian Wang

Saori Sonokawa

Hitoshi Ohara

A photocatalytic member comprises a base and a photocatalytic layer fixed on the base. The photocatalytic layer comprises first photocatalyst particles being visible light responsive photocatalyst particles for hydrogen generation, second photocatalyst particles being visible light responsive photocatalyst particles for oxygen generation, and conductive particles which are provided between the first photocatalyst particle and the second photocatalyst particle, have Fermi level at a negative position relative to an electronic energy level at the upper end of the valence band of the first photocatalyst particle and at a positive position relative to an electronic energy level at the bottom end of the conduction band of the second photocatalyst particle, and are able to store an electron and a hole. In the photocatalytic layer, the conductive particles are located to be coupled to both the first photocatalyst particles and the second photocatalyst particles.

Photocatalyst material and method for producing same

Disclosed are metal nitride photocatalyst particles and/or metal oxynitride photocatalyst particles having high dispersibility. The metal nitride photocatalyst particles and/or metal oxynitride photocatalyst particles having high dispersibility can be obtained by containing metal nitride photocatalyst particles and/or metal oxynitride photocatalyst particles, which are capable of splitting water under visible light irradiation, and a phosphoric acid polymer that is adsorbed on the surface of the particles. Further, because these particles have high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, splitting water by using these particles can generate hydrogen and/or oxygen with high efficiency.

Photocatalyst composite particles and method for producing same

Disclosed is a visible light responsive photocatalyst that simultaneously realizes high crystallinity and refinement of primary particles. Also disclosed is a photocatalyst composed of secondary particles that have a high porosity and are aggregates of fine primary particles. Rhodium-doped strontium titanate that is a visible light responsive photocatalyst of the present invention has a primary particle diameter of not more than 70 nm and has a absorbance at a wavelength of 570 nm of not less than 0.6 and a absorbance at a wavelength of 1800 nm of not more than 0.7, each absorbance determining by measuring a diffuse reflection spectrum, the rhodium-doped strontium titanate having a high water-splitting activity as a photocatalyst.

Visible-light photocatalyst particles and method for manufacturing same

Disclosed is a thermoelectric conversion material that exhibits a high thermoelectric conversion properties. The thermoelectric conversion material comprises zinc oxide and is represented by formula (I):ZnAlYO&#x2003;&#x2003;(I)

Thermoelectric conversion material and thermoelectric conversion element

A self-cleaning member comprising a member having a porous surface is disclosed. The member has a contact angle hysteresis &#x394;&#x3b8; (=&#x3b8;a&#x2212;&#x3b8;r), which is a difference between an advancing contact angle &#x3b8;a and a receding contact angle &#x3b8;r measured by a dynamic contact angle measurement with an extension/contraction method, of 80 degree or more at the surface layer and a receding contact angle &#x3b8;r of 25 degree or less, is capable of forming a water film on the surface by water provided and of allowing an ionic or reactive contaminant to be washed away without fixation.

Self-cleaning member and coating composition

A method, an electrode, a measuring cell, and a measuring device are disclosed which can detect and quantitatively determine an analyte having specific bonding properties, in a highly sensitive, simple and accurate manner using photocurrent. This method comprises contacting a working electrode and a counter electrode with an electrolyte medium, wherein the working electrode has an analyte immobilized thereon through a probe substance and wherein the analyte is bonded to a sensitizing dye; irradiating the working electrode with light to photoexcite the sensitizing dye; and detecting photocurrent flowing between the working electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the photocurrent is generated by transfer of electrons from the photoexcited sensitizing dye to the working electrode. The working electrode comprises an electron accepting layer comprising an electron accepting substance capable of accepting electrons released from the sensitizing dye in response to photoexcitation, wherein the probe substance is supported on a surface of the electron accepting layer. The electron accepting substance is an oxide semiconductor having an energy level lower than that of a lowest unoccupied molecular orbit (LUMO) of the sensitizing dye. The electrolyte medium comprises an electrolyte and at least one solvent selected from an aprotic solvent and a protic solvent, wherein the electrolyte comprises a salt capable of providing an oxidized sensitizing dye with electrons.

Method for specifically detecting analyte using photocurrent, and electrode, measuring cell and measuring device for use therein

Growing community of inventors

Kitakyushu, Japan

Hiromasa Tokudome