The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 24, 2015

Filed:

Jan. 31, 2012
Applicants:

Robert J. Hamers, Madison, WI (US);

Di Zhu, Madison, WI (US);

Nigel Hajj Becknell, Ellicott City, MD (US);

Inventors:

Robert J. Hamers, Madison, WI (US);

Di Zhu, Madison, WI (US);

Nigel Hajj Becknell, Ellicott City, MD (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C25B 3/04 (2006.01); C25B 1/00 (2006.01); B01J 19/12 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
C25B 1/003 (2013.01);
Abstract

Methods for the photoreduction of molecules are provided. The methods use diamond having a negative electron affinity as a photocatalyst, taking advantage of its ability to act as a solid-state electron emitter that is capable of inducing reductions without the need for reactants to adsorb onto its surface. The methods comprise illuminating a fluid sample comprising the molecules to be reduced and hydrogen surface-terminated diamond having a negative electron affinity with light comprising a wavelength that induces the emission of electrons from the diamond directly into the fluid sample. The emitted electrons induce the reduction of the molecules to form a reduction product.


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