Fujifilm Corporation

Japan Technological Research Association of Artificial Photosynthetic Chemical Process

Japan Technological Research Association of Artificial Photosynthesis Chemical Process

Satoshi Yoshida

Hiroshi Nagate

Jiro Tsukahara

Yoshihiro Aburaya

Hiroyuki Kobayashi

Provided are a photocatalyst electrode, an artificial photosynthesis module, and an artificial photosynthesis device that have low electrical resistance, even in a case where the area is increased, in a case where a transparent conductive layer is used. The photocatalyst electrode is a photocatalyst electrode that has a substrate, a transparent conductive layer, a photocatalyst layer, and a linear metal electrical conductor, and splits water with light to produce a gas. The substrate, the transparent conductive layer, and the photocatalyst layer are laminated in this order, and the linear metal electrical conductor is in contact with the transparent conductive layer. The artificial photosynthesis module has the oxygen evolution electrode that splits the water with the light to produce oxygen, and a hydrogen evolution electrode that splits the water with the light to produce hydrogen. The oxygen evolution electrode and the hydrogen evolution electrode are disposed in series in a traveling direction of the light. At least one of the oxygen evolution electrode or the hydrogen evolution electrode has the configuration of the above-described photocatalyst electrode. The artificial photosynthesis device has the artificial photosynthesis module, and circulates and utilizes water.

Artificial photosynthesis module

In an artificial photosynthesis module, a plurality of first electrode portions of a hydrogen generation electrode are disposed side by side with a gap, and each of a plurality of second electrode portions of an oxygen generation electrode is disposed at a gap between the first electrode portions of the hydrogen generation electrode as seen from the hydrogen generation electrode side with respect to the diaphragm. A first photocatalyst layer of at least one first electrode portion of the hydrogen generation electrode or a second photocatalyst layer of at least one of the second electrode portions of the oxygen generation electrode is tilted with respect to a flow direction of an electrolytic aqueous solution, or a projecting part is provided on a surface of the first photocatalyst layer of at least one first electrode portion of the hydrogen generation electrode or a surface of the second photocatalyst layer of at least one second electrode portion of the oxygen generation electrode.

Growing community of inventors

Ashigarakami-gun, Japan

Satoshi Yoshida