Water splitting apparatus and method of using the same

Abstract

A water-splitting apparatus and method generating hydrogen and oxygen at separate electrodes have a structure enabling a photo catalytic reaction to be efficiently performed. The apparatus includes a photolysis element having an N-type water-splitting electrode surface and a P-type water-splitting electrode surface at the opposite side surface to the N-type water-splitting electrode surface, a hydrogen generating cell holding the N-type water-splitting electrode surface and collecting the hydrogen generated at that water-splitting electrode surface, and an oxygen generating cell holding the P-type water-splitting electrode surface, collecting the oxygen generated at that water-splitting electrode surface, and adjoining the hydrogen generating cell across the photolysis element. The photolysis element has through holes enabling circulation of water between the hydrogen and oxygen generating cells. The through holes are arranged so that light irradiated on one of the N-type and P-type water-splitting electrode surfaces does not pass through to the opposite side water-splitting electrode surface.