A cell in which
radiant energy causes a net chemical conversion in the cell, e.g. so as to produce hydrogen as a useful fuel. These cells can be classified as photosynthetic or photocatalytic. In the former case,
radiant energy provides a Gibbs energy to drive a reaction such as
,
and electrical or thermal energy may be later recovered by allowing the reverse, spontaneous reaction to proceed. In a
photocatalytic cell the photon absorption promotes a reaction with
so there is no net storage of chemical energy, but the
radiant energy speeds up a slow reaction.
Source:
PAC, 1991, 63, 569
(Terminology in semiconductor electrochemistry and photoelectrochemical energy conversion (Recommendations 1991))
on page 593
See also:
PAC, 1991, 63, 569
(Terminology in semiconductor electrochemistry and photoelectrochemical energy conversion (Recommendations 1991))
on page 596
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
doi:10.1351/goldbook.
