Stress-induced bandgap-shifted semiconductor...

Details Stress-induced bandgap-shifted semiconductor... Stress-induced bandgap-shifted semiconductor...

2009-01-02

2009-12-08

Griffin, Walter D (Department: 1797)

Liquid purification or separation

Processes

Utilizing electrical or wave energy directly applied to...

C210S739000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07628928

ABSTRACT:
Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.

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