Patent ID: 7481914

Claim:
A photoelectrolysis cell, comprising: (a) a photoelectrode, comprising (Ln 1−x M x )(Nb 1−y Ta y )O 1+x N 2−x ; wherein Ln is at least one lanthanide element selected from the group consisting of cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, yttrium and scandium; M is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium, barium; and combinations thereof; 0≦x≦0.99; and 0≦y≦1; (b) a counter-electrode comprising at least one metallic material; (c) an electrolyte in contact with both the photoelectrode and the counter-electrode; and (d) means for collecting hydrogen produced by the cell.